THE Post today launches a campaign to create 300 apprenticeships for young people in Notts.
With 8,695 youngsters unemployed in the county, the Post has joined Nottingham City Council and others to find the places in just 100 days.
If we succeed, the number of young people out of work in Notts will be cut by more than three per cent – and the prospects of the lucky 300 will be massively improved.
But we can't do it on our own. We want companies of all shapes and sizes to pledge to create the apprenticeships.
Councillor Nick McDonald said: "We want Nottingham to become known for apprenticeships and to be a leading city for them."
While increasing the number of apprenticeships will make a big difference to the young people – who can apply from the age of 16 – the new apprentices will also be of great value to the firms that take them on.
George Cowcher, chief executive of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, said: "Apprenticeships are an essential part of creating the workforce our economy demands.
"Having good calibre, highly-skilled young employees is the key to giving the business sector in Notts a sustainable future, so it is important for businesses to sign up to the 300-in-100 campaign and pledge to create an apprenticeship placement."
The campaign, launched at New College Nottingham, is supported by Notts City and County Employment and Skills Board and the National Apprenticeship Service, as well as the city council and Chamber of Commerce.
In the last two years the campaign has identified 162 and 230 new apprenticeships respectively.
The launch of this year's apprenticeship challenge coincides with National Apprenticeship Week, with Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday pledging to make apprenticeships the "new norm" for school leavers who decide against going to university.