A Scottish daily has realised its aim of getting firms to take on 100 new apprenticeships in 100 days – with three weeks to spare.

The Press and Journal, Aberdeen, began its new Apprentice 100 campaign in September with the aim of getting businesses on its patch to take up the idea.

The target was reached 79 days into the campaign, and the Press and Journal is now aiming to get as many as it can before the 100 day deadline.

The newspaper received support from oil industry doyen Sir Ian Wood, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, and even TV chef Jamie Oliver, who said the P&J had shamed him into taking action and was planning to roll it out across his restaurants.

The P&J celebrated the achievement with its fornt page on Friday 13 November

Editor in chief Damian Bates said: “We’re absolutely thrilled with the outcome and how quickly companies have jumped on board to support this initiative.

“You can always be cynical about the likely outcome and where the jobs are coming from, but we’re auditing the results and following the progress of the trainees to make sure they get true results and success from it.

“The P&J has also just selected a successful candidate for its own commitment to the scheme – a traineeship created in memory of the late, great Joe Watson, our fabulous farming editor – and this young person is going to be joining us at the end of the school year.

“There’s a real buzz about this scheme, helping give young people a chance to get into the world of work.”