A Cleckheaton teenager made his way to Downing Street yesterday to voice young people's views on modern apprenticeships and on-the-job training.

James Greaves, 15, travelled to the capital with other young people to interview Young People's Minister Ivan Lewis about Connexions, a national government initiative which provides information and guidance on a range of issues including employment, training and careers to young people aged 13 to 19.

After the interview, Mr Lewis invited James and other members of his group to the launch at 11 Downing Street of a 'task force' of industrialists, company executives and trainers responsible for drumming up employer interest in apprenticeships.

James, a pupil at Whitcliffe Mount High School, met Chancellor Gordon Brown and Education Secretary Charles Clarke, who had joined forces for the launch.

"We went to the launch to represent Connexions West Yorkshire and its involvement with modern apprenticeships," said James, who hopes to become a youth worker. "I got involved in Connexions through Kirklees Young People's Service. The good thing about it is that Connexions is a national initiative - wherever people see the Connexions logo, they can get help and advice on issues affecting them.

"The launch was great and we were involved in everything and could talk to anyone. The Chancellor was very nice and we learned a lot. The whole things was videoed and will be shown at the Connexions launch conference at the McAlpine Stadium in Huddersfield on March 5."