An independent publisher’s apprenticeship campaign is officially set to go national with the launch of a new foundation.

More than 1,000 apprenticeships have been created as a result of the Midland News Association’s ‘Ladder for…’ campaigns, which have been run in the Black Country, Staffordshire and Shropshire over the past three years.

The scheme’s success even saw it being adopted by MNA’s rival, Reach plc forerunner Trinity Mirror, last year.

The Ladder Foundation is now being launched with the aim of encouraging and supporting similar campaigns across the country.

Regional campaigns will see training providers working with regional newspapers to highlight the journeys of both employer and apprentice and help get more young people into work.

Diane Davies, deputy editor of the MNA’s Wolverhampton-based daily the Express & Star, said: “It is very exciting to see the developing legacy of our campaign which we remain extremely proud of.

“We launched the campaign at a time of high youth unemployment, with the Black Country among the worse in the whole country. We wanted to help solve the tackle the problem and were very lucky to encounter such excellent partners in PTP and The Vine Trust.

“Together we have helped so many young people get on the career path – we even took on five young apprentices ourselves and have been incredibly impressed by their enthusiasm and ability.

“I hope other newspapers and training providers across the country will build on this success and extend the good work of the Ladder campaign across the nation.”