Campaign boosts apprentices total (From York Press)

Campaign boosts apprentices total

9:11am Saturday 5th May 2012 in Jobs News

THE number of apprentices in York has increased by almost a quarter, following the success of last year’s York Apprenticeship Challenge.

The challenge, a campaign run by The Press, City of York Council and the National Apprenticeship Service, saw 199 apprenticeship places pledged by 80 employers between June to September, almost doubling the original target of 100 in 100 days.

Statistics from the National Apprenticeship Service show that there were 168 more apprentices in York from August 2011 to January 2012, a 23.5 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2010/11.

The most apprenticeship roles were created in business administration with 49, hospitality and catering with 35, retail with 28, science technicians with 24 and accountancy with ten.

Coun Julie Gunnell, cabinet member for corporate services at City of York Council, said: “The latest national stats prove just how successful the York Apprenticeship Challenge was.

“I’d like to pass my thanks to all the organisations who offered places to apprentices in different sectors across the city. I know first-hand from speaking to apprentices at the council, just how much they are getting from their placements.”