BOOSTED by the Worcester News 100 in 100 initiative, which aimed to have 100 Worcestershire companies taking on apprentices in 100 days, the county soared ahead of regional percentages for new apprentices last year.

Figures reveal there were 5,670 apprenticeship starts in Worcestershire during the academic year 2011/12, representing a growth of 14.7 per cent from the previous year. This compares with the West Midlands as a whole, which registered 60,470 apprenticeship starts, an 11.4 per cent increase. In fact Worcestershire even did better than the national average, which was an overall increase of 13.9 per cent.

The Worcester News 100 in 100 campaign, which ran from May to August in 2012 in conjunction with the National Apprenticeship Service, far exceeded its target and eventually led to 145 companies providing 214 youngsters with placements.

“We were very pleased with the results of 100 in 100,” said Worcester News editor Peter John. “At a time when many young people are finding it difficult to start a career, it was really satisfying to be able to help in this way and shows the power of the local press in supporting local people.”

Karen Woodward, divisional apprenticeship director for the Central Region of the NAS, said: “I am pleased that new data confirms apprenticeships overall are increasingly popular. “Apprenticeships have much to offer and by working closely with employers, we have come a long way in raising quality standards. “Our immediate and continuing focus is on growing Apprenticeships at 16-18, supported by the Apprenticeship Grant for employers to recruit a young apprentice, which is proving increasingly popular with small employers, and we are putting in place additional measures including a marketing campaign targeted at employers and young people.”

Government funding is available to help companies take on an apprentice. Through the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE) of 16-24 year olds, businesses who choose to grow their business through apprenticeships can access funding of £1,500. The grant is open to organisations employing up to 1,000 people, who have never employed an apprentice before, or have not recruited one in the past 12 months.