740 apprenticeships created

Launched in late 2011, the ‘100 in 100’ campaign was established to boost employment rates and increase the competitiveness of the county as a whole.

Sue Price, divisional apprenticeship director for the North at National Apprenticeship Scheme, said: “Lancashire is a key area for us. It is on the up and we want to use that momentum to ensure people are aware of, and are able to take advantage of, the benefits of apprenticeships.”

Edwin Booth, chairman of Lancashire’s Local Enterprise Partnership told the Lancashire Evening Post: “To recruit more than 700 apprentices is a tremendous achievement. This will provide a vital boost to Lancashire’s economy and the apprentices will be a huge asset to the organisations who have taken them on.”

An additional £10million has been set aside by the Lancashire County Council to support apprenticeships, and will also create 25 placements.