The Wiltshire Enterprise 100 Apprentices in 100 Days campaign has got off to a great start with around 30 expressions of interest in the first two weeks.

The campaign is being run by Wiltshire Enterprise on behalf of Wiltshire College and is looking to find 100 apprenticeship placements in the next 100 days.

The Gazette and Herald and sister paper The Wiltshire Times are backing the campaign, which won an award last year after finding 105 apprentices jobs.

Recent apprenticeships include an engineer at Moulton Bicycles in Bradford on Avon, a management apprentice at Wiltshire College and three plumbing apprentices in Corsham and Frome.

Anthony Sheppard, from IPS Plumbing in Corsham, took on apprentice Dan Cockerill in November.

He said: “We regard him as an asset. He’s heping us to serve our customers and learning every day. He’s said so himself that being out there in the real world has made him learn so much more than previously.

“In our experience apprenticeships are mutually beneficial. He’s learning a trade and working with a good person who is willing to teach him, and he’s willing to learn. It’s been very positive for us.”

Funding towards the cost of training may be available from The National Apprenticeship Service.

Grants of up to £1,500 towards wage costs may be available to employers taking on apprentices aged 16-24. The grants are available to small and medium businesses of less than 250 employees who are recruiting an apprentice for the first time or who have not recruited an apprentice within the last three years.

For campaign updates clock on the link below or follow Wiltshire Enterprise on Twitter: @WiltsEnterprise