YOUNG people from across Worcestershire had a head start towards a successful future career at a special event for apprentices.

The Real Apprentice, which was organised by Worcestershire County Council and took place at County Hall in Worcester, was attended by nearly 360 16 to 18-year-olds.

Your Worcester News has teamed up with the National Apprenticeship Service and several key organisations with the aim of creating 100 apprenticeships in local businesses within 100 days.

Potential apprentices and their parents or guardians were supplied with all the information they needed about Worcestershire's apprentice programmes and they also heard from, and talked to, major employers, training providers and successful apprentices who have gone from strength to strength since learning their trades.

Mike Ashton, chief executive of Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce and a former chemical plant operator apprentice himself, said: "Apprenticeships are absolutely vital. They are the foundation of a skilled workforce and as such are fundamental to the future of business in Worcestershire.”

Worcestershire is aiming for a 30 per cent increase in the number of young people starting an apprenticeship programme by 2012-13.

Councillor Simon Geraghty, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for economy and infrastructure, said: “Apprenticeships can be the ideal way for young people to continue training and developing skills while earning a wage and beginning a successful career.

“Our local economy needs highly skilled new employees for the future, particularly in emerging technology sectors, so the whole county will benefit from a thriving apprenticeship programme.”

One of the apprentices attending the event was 19-year-old Alice Russell, of Worcester, who hopes to become a top chef and have her own kitchen.

Currently with Hospitality Industry Training, she said: “I absolutely love my apprenticeship because I can learn on the job and be paid at the same time. For me, learning in this way is the best because it means I get practical hands-on experience as well as learning theory.” For more information visit worcesternews. co.uk/ onehundred or apprentices. org.uk.