Although 500 of these will be in the county council itself, Learning Unlimited, which is Chesterfield college’s employer engagement and apprenticeship arm, will manage the scheme to also create 200 places within private industry.

As part of this, the council are funding grants of £2,500 which will be offered to businesses to help them take on apprentices. These grants are targeted at employers which would not otherwise have been in a position to recruit an apprentice and will be administered by Learning Unlimited on behalf of the county council.

There are criteria which must be satisfied before businesses can apply for an Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE), and these include that they must employ less than 50 employees and be based in Derbyshire. The young person must also be aged 16 or 17, not in education, employment or training and live in the county.

Councillor Kevin Parkinson said that the drive is part of the council’s commitment to the local economy:

“Small businesses play a vital role in the Derbyshire economy and we’re committed to supporting them to help communities thrive.

“We realise these are challenging times both for employers and young people starting work and I’d urge businesses to give serious thought to the benefit of taking on an apprentice.”

The company employing the apprentice will work alongside assessors from Learning Unlimited to provide on-the-job training which will help towards nationally recognised qualifications.

Parkinson added: “We’ve made it as easy as possible for small businesses to take on an apprentice with the £2,500 grant an extra incentive.

“Taking on an apprentice can be of huge benefit for both the company and young person and I’d urge people to take a couple of hours to come along and find out more.”

Information events will take place on the following dates:

• Monday 30 January - Ashbourne Leisure Centre, 9am to 11am

• Tuesday 31 January – Ripley Town Hall, 9am to 11am

• Wednesday 1 February – Tapton House, Chesterfield, 9am to 11am

• Thursday 2 February – Arena Centre, Ilkeston, 9am to 11am

• Friday 3 February – County Hall, Matlock, 9am to 11am

• Thursday 9 February – Buxton Pavillion, 9am to 11am

• Thursday 9 February – Bradbury House, Glossop, 1pm to 3pm

• Friday 10 February – Hilton House Hotel, 9am to 11am

Stephanie Manley