A campaign to create 1,000 new apprentices has been launched by two sister dailies.

The Citizen, Gloucester, and the Gloucestershire Echo have begun their Apprentice 1,000 bid to create the new positions across their respective patches during 2016.

The campaign already has the backing of Chancellor George Osborne, as well as Gloucestershire-based businesses and educational facilities.

It was launched jointly on Friday at an event at Gloucestershire College, in Cheltenham, by Citizen editor Jenny Eastwood and Echo editor Matt Holmes.

Said Jenny: “We want to make 2016 the Year of the Apprentice in Gloucestershire. There is so much energy in our business community already to support this as a route for young people but we feel now is the time to really make a difference for our young people and Gloucestershire’s economy.

“To do this, we need the support of our training providers and key businesses to promote apprenticeships as a career choice.

“Over the course of the year, we will be running a campaign across online, social media and our newspapers to encourage not just young people to take up apprentices but also for businesses who do not currently offer them to sign up.”

Matt added: “As a business, there are so many benefits of taking on apprentices, not just from a training and development point of view.

“Statistics show they are a great route into work for people with around 90 per cent of apprentices staying on in employment after they have finished the scheme.

“For young people, the possibilities for apprenticeships are endless and they are now being offered in so many different industries from engineering to hair and beauty and business admin to name but a few.”

“We want to make 2016 the Year of the Apprentice in Gloucestershire. There is so much energy in our business community already to support this as a route for young people but we feel now is the time to really make a difference for our young people and Gloucestershire’s economy,” said Ms Eastwood.

“To do this, we need the support of our training providers and key businesses to promote apprenticeships as a career choice.

“Over the course of the year, we will be running a campaign across online, social media and our newspapers to encourage not just young people to take up apprentices but also for businesses who do not currently offer them to sign up.”

Mr Holmes said: “As a business, there are so many benefits of taking on apprentices, not just from a training and development point of view.

“Statistics show they are a great route into work for people with around 90 per cent of apprentices staying on in employment after they have finished the scheme.

“For young people, the possibilities for apprenticeships are endless and they are now being offered in so many different industries from engineering to hair and beauty and business admin to name but a few.”

Mr Osborne said: “Apprenticeships are an essential part of our economy delivering the skills and expertise we need for a vibrant jobs market and fantastic opportunities for young people.

“Britain needs a high-skilled workforce and I’d encourage all businesses in Gloucestershire to get involved in this important campaign so we can work together to deliver the three million more apprenticeships around the country by 2020 this Government is determined to see.”