A TRAINING provider says the number of 16 to 18-year-olds taking its apprenticeship courses has rocketed by more than 60 per cent.
Positive Outcomes has taken on 402 apprentices in Notts since the start of last August – a 62.1 per cent rise on the 248 recruited in the same period the previous year.
The news comes as the Post urges employers to take on apprentices in our Get Notts Working campaign.
We want to create 300 apprentice posts in 100 days.
Chris Longmate, managing director at Positive Outcomes, said: "At a time when youth unemployment is so high, we are delighted to have created so many new apprenticeship opportunities over the past year."
Positive Outcomes place apprentices with an employer and one of them, Jack Naylor, 20, of South Normanton, now has a successful career in finance after completing a business administration apprenticeship.
Jack started his apprenticeship aged 17 and is already senior claims manager at Assured Money Solutions in Sutton-in-Ashfield.
Jack said: "Before securing the apprenticeship I had a few interviews for jobs, but because I had no employment history and therefore no experience, no one wanted to offer one.
"Choosing an apprenticeship was the best decision I have ever made and I've never looked back."
The Post's campaign is being run with the Derbyshire and Notts Chamber of Commerce, the National Apprenticeship Service, the city council and the Nottinghamshire City and County Employment and Skills Board.