Thousands of teenagers could leave the classroom to learn a trade under a new apprenticeship scheme.

Ministers are set to unveil a new "junior apprenticeship" scheme next month.

Under the plans, 14 to 16-year-olds will spend two days a week at work, one day at college and two days in school.

The plan will see a move away from traditional classroom teaching and the focus on standard GCSE subjects.

Instead, teenagers who would normally leave school at 16 will be able to take up more practical courses to train as plumbers, engineers, electricians and IT workers.

The government believes the overhaul will plug both the skills gap and cut truancy.

"This will be a crucial element in our strategy to reduce the number of young people who walk away from any form of education or training on their sixteenth birthday," said education minister Ivan Lewis.

"It remains the greatest challenge facing our education system. We need more graduates and more apprentices if we are to meet the challenges of the future. That is why we intend to build on this year's record numbers with a major overhaul and expansion of our modern apprenticeship programme."

Employers have complained to the government that too many school leavers lack basic skills.

But education secretary Charles Clarke has ruled out lowering the school leaving age.

"Ministers believe that bringing the workplace and classroom closer together will motivate many young people turned off by the current education system," said the department's report.

"They also believe it will encourage youngsters to view vocational education as a passport to rewarding and well-paid jobs."