THE big day has arrived and students across south Cumbria were ripping open their A-Level results envelopes this morning.

After a nervous summer the 18-year-olds are hoping to achieve top grades to secure university places, apprenticeship and higher apprenticeship roles.

Today we look at how two young people are getting on one year on from A-Level results day.

Madigan Long and Stephanie Noble opted for apprenticeships over university and they both secured their chosen roles in the biopharmaceutical industry at GSK Ulverston.

Madigan, of Ulverston, is a mechanical engineering apprentice.

The former Ulverston Victoria High School student, who has A-Levels in maths, physics and biology said: "I had university offers to study marine biology but I had decided I did not want to go to university. I did not want the debt.

"I wanted to do an apprenticeship in engineering and I wanted to be at GSK. It is an excellent company to work for. There is a really good team of people working with the apprentices."

In his first year, Madigan has been learning the trade at the Gen2 training centre in Ulverston. From this summer he has been based at the GSK site and from September he will spend one day a week at the training facility.

He said: "I have really enjoyed learning the hands-on skills. It's definitely good to earn while you learn."

Madigan said his A-Levels in maths and physics have been very beneficial for the role he has now. He hopes to study to degree level after completing his apprenticeship.

Madigan believes students should keep their options open and understand that university is not the only option.

Ex-Barrow Sixth Form College student, Stephanie, is now a lab apprentice.

The Dalton apprentice said she thought that she would go to university when she was at school, but opted for the apprenticeship route.

She has been based on-site at GSK from the start of her apprenticeship, and spends one-and-a-half days a week at Furness College for her studies.

Stephanie really enjoys her apprenticeship and said: "It's a brilliant company, which is family orientated. When you come to work you feel that you are doing something to help the patients.

"I would like to progress as far as I can with the company."

She also hopes to study to degree level after completing her apprenticeship.

Stephanie said that it is a good idea for students to consider applying for an apprenticeship as well as university.

*The Evening Mail team are at Barrow Sixth Form College, Millom School, Ulverston Victoria High School, Chetwynde School and The Lakes School today. See nwemail.co.uk and our Twitter and Facebook pages for all the latest reaction, photos and video. Join in the celebrations by using the hashtag #EMexam and sharing your results day photos.

Tomorrow The Evening Mail publishes an eight-page A-Level special with news, photos and results.

South Cumbria students look ahead to A-Level results day