THE Evening Gazette’s apprenticeship campaign is just a whisker away from hitting the 2,000 mark.

In the 14th week of the campaign - with seven days left to go - 1,958 apprentice opportunities have now been created in the North-east.

This year’s 100 Days: The Apprenticeship Challenge initiative has already created 603 more apprenticeshps than 2011’s campaign.

And we’re hoping to create even more in the final week.

The campaign organised by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) in association with the North East Chamber of Commerce aims to help companies in the region to take on more staff and increase their skills base as well as to help the jobless.

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

You can also find out more about our apprenticeship campaign at www.nebusiness.co.uk/apprenticeships.