MORE than 1,000 companies have backed our campaign to get more North East companies to create apprenticeships.

After just nine weeks the 100-day drive to help companies grow has seen 1,107 apprenticeships started by businesses across the region.

The Journal linked up with the National Apprenticeship Service to boost the campaign 100 Days: The Apprenticeship Challenge, which is run in association with the North East Chamber of Commerce.

Alan Wallace, head of employer accounts for the NAS, said he was impressed that the campaign had attracted the attention of so many organisations.

“We are delighted and extremely grateful that so many employers have chosen to support the campaign and offer apprenticeship opportunities,” he said.

“Apprenticeships can give people a positive start on the career ladder, offering the opportunity to earn a wage and gain valuable experience and nationally recognised qualifications that will shape their future.

“For businesses they are an extremely cost effective way of bringing enthusiastic people into the workforce and investing in the future success of the organisation

“Apprenticeships continue to go from strength-to-strength with a record number of starts in the last academic year and an increase in growth across all ages, levels and sectors. “

Last year, The Journal and its sister paper, the Evening Gazette, worked with NAS to get 100 firms to take on 100 apprentices in 100 days.

Within a few weeks it was so successful we had to increase the target to 500. When the 100 days were up, we were able to report 1,355 apprenticeships had been created.

To find out more about the 100 Days Apprenticeship Challenge, call 08000 150 600, or visit the website www. apprenticeships.org.uk