100 apprentices in 100 days

City of York Council, The Press, the National Apprenticeship Service and other key partners launched the York Apprenticeship Challenge on 15 June 2011 to encourage companies across the city of York to recruit 100 new apprentices in 100 days.

Apprenticeships offer real benefits to York employers, young people and the local economy. They offer people a training route, which combines work-based learning with theory and a recognised qualification, whilst employers experience a range of benefits when hiring an apprentice, including motivated, skilled staff and increased productivity.

Employers in York really stepped up to the challenge and not only comfortably passed the target by 22 September but almost doubled it, with 199 apprenticeships now pledged in the city.

Some 80 employers in York, including the council and FERA, are taking on young people in a range of roles including Accountancy, Retail and Construction.

At the council apprenticeships are being offered to 34 young people aged between 16 and 18 in a wide range of roles across the authority.

Kersten England, Chief Executive of City of York Council, and Cllr James Alexander, Labour Leader of City of York Council, together with the apprentices taken on by City of York Council. Photo taken during National Apprenticeship Week in February 2012.