As Wiltshire College continues its quest to find 100 apprenticeships in 100 days, the manager of the scheme is leading by example and has signed up as an apprentice herself.

Jo Brewer, 49, the college’s work-based learning manager, has just started studying for her Level 5 Management apprenticeship, which will take around 18 months.

She said: “I did the Level 3 as a standalone qualification; it was the next step for me so I thought, why not?

“I thought I could set a precedent – to my knowledge I’m the first mature apprentice within the college.

“I needed to do the qualification and it’s funded by the government.

"It’s early days, but I’m taking my maths exams at the end of March.”

So far the college has found 14 placements for apprentices as part of the campaign, which launched in February with 50 expressions of interest they are chasing up. Mrs Brewer, who works across the college’s Lackham, Chippenham, Trowbridge and Salisbury campuses, said she hoped more people would realise that modern day apprenticeships cover a diverse range of qualifications and skills.

“People tend to think it’s only practical skills like plumbing, carpentry, brickwork, hairdressing, but there are lots of other apprenticeships,” she said.

“We’ve launched creative and cultural apprenticeships for people working in theatres or museums, and digital media, like TV and radio.

"For almost any occupation there’s a package that will fit, including management.”

The campaign is continuing at www.wiltshire-enterprise. co.uk where there is now the chance to win £100, and a mobile phone screen wipe for completing an online poll about apprenticeships.

Full details about the campaign are also available, and you can keep up with the latest news by following @WiltsEnterprise on Twitter.