Apprentices of Sellafield Limited, Cumbria County Council and more have shown off their skills to employers at the Gen 2 Grand Final.

Over 240 apprentices took part in challenges that demonstrate their engineering, entrepreneurial skills and creativity as part of National Apprenticeship Week.

Representatives of participating companies judged the projects at Gen 2 Head Office in Lillyhall, Workington on Friday.

Teams took part in various challenges putting different skills to the test including a Robot Wars style competition, sculpture building and entrepreneurial category.

Students built robots to battle in an arena. Each build was fixed with a balloon and a sharp point, teams used remote controls to try and pop the other's balloon.

First place was awarded to apprentices from Futamura, Wigton.

In the entrepreneurial challenge, students were tasked with planning a fundraiser for a Cumbrian charity.

Team Sugar won the category, raising £850 for Danica's Dream Fund. Team member Chloe Glaister said: "We work with Danica's dad so it is close to our hearts."

The charity was set up by John Maxwell to support children with cancer and their families, after he lost his daughter Danica in December 2010 aged 15.

Team Gormley won the sculpture challenge, using their technical skills to create a metal kangaroo. The Interactive Kit challenge saw apprentices design games for young people, promoting engagement in technology and engineering.

Team Newton of Sellafield designed a miniature bowling alley with a webcam that records the number of pins knocked down. Harry Diamond said: "With the time and budget we had it's quite a good effort."

Martin Hottass, City and Guilds managing director of technical training praised the programme. He said: "We have apprentice training courses in Ulverston, Carlisle and here in Workington."

"Our biggest customer is Sellafield, they take 150 apprentices a year. We try and cover the whole spectrum of requirements for our community."