Dozens of Oxfordshire teenagers spent a week finding out if they have got what it takes to be the next apprentice.

But this was not a contest to see if they could run one of millionaire entrepreneur Alan Sugar's companies, but an equally competitive snapshot of what it takes to join the apprenticeship scheme at UKAEA's Culham laboratories.

A total of 36 students from the county's schools were given an insight into the scheme, which was revived last year after a decade-long gap. The aim is to tackle a shortage of technicians who form an essential part of the fusion research team at the site.

The teenagers were given a series of tasks to complete in both mechanical and electrical disciplines and a competition to test their technical skills as well as their ability to work in a team.

Wantage MP Ed Vaizey presented prizes to pupils from King Alfred's Community and Sports College, in Wantage, after the final of the design and build contest.

He said: "This is a wonderful scheme and a very imaginative way of introducing young people to engineering."

David Martin, a senior engineer at Culham and a former UKAEA apprentice himself, is now manager of the apprenticeship scheme.

He said: "The apprenticeship appreciation weeks are run not only to advertise the benefits of technical training, but also to allow local Year 10 students to gain a better understanding of what it's like to be an engineering apprentice.

"When the time comes for them to make a choice, they're doing it from a position of knowledge, rather than a gut feeling."

"Competition for places on our scheme is growing. This year, we had 76 applicants for four places, and we want to continue to attract top-class applicants."

The other teams taking part in the event were from St Birinus School, in Didcot, and Faringdon Community College.

UKAEA Culham's apprentice scheme is a four-year course, including on-the-job training in the laboratories and study at Abingdon & Witney College for a National Certificate or a Higher National Certificate.