MORE businesses have pledged to help young people get into work as they join our 50 in five campaign.

Another 12 businesses pledged to support the campaign by The Argus and City College Brighton and Hove to open up 50 apprenticeship opportunities in just five days.

Our grand total now stands at 22 on our second day after ten companies pledged their support on Monday.

Companies Paul Hallett Plumbing, Shelf Direct, Craftwork Projects Ltd, Cmitten, The Werk Hub, City Craftsmen, Pilates in Brighton and STax all added their names yesterday.

Also among the employers responding to our apprenticeship recruitment campaign are chartered accountants Cohen Davidson and hairdressing salon The Point.

Both confirmed yesterday they have each taken on an apprentice.

The accountancy firm employed 16-year-old Alice Charley, who had been trying for more than six months to find an employer willing to take her on as an apprentice

She said: “My long term aim is to get into accountancy as a career so being a business administrator for a company like this is exactly the type of opportunity I was hoping for.”

Michael Cohen, of Cohen Davidson, said: “Our company is expanding so it was great to find an apprentice as enthusiastic and capable as Alice clearly is. We’re sure she’s going to be a real asset to the company.”

The Point in Trafalgar Street, Brighton, has taken on Jay Elkin-Alfonso, 16.

The salon’s Ian Habben said: “I’m delighted to be backing ‘50 in five’ because apprenticeships are the way forward for independent Brighton businesses to have trainees working on the shop floor and learning their trade.”

The Argus and City College’s campaign is run as part of National Apprenticeship Week – a government initiative to promote apprenticeships.

Last year we smashed our 50 in 5 target and managed to open up 67 opportunities.

How to get involved

ANY employer can get involved with the 50 in 5 campaign. Apprentices are aged 16 or over and combine working with studying for a work-based qualification – from GCSEs or equivalent up to degree level.

Firms could get a grant or funding for employing an apprentice.

They must pay the apprentice at least the minimum wage during their placement.

The apprentice must work with experienced staff, learn job-specific skills and study for a work-based qualification. Apprenticeships can last from one to four years, depending on the level of qualification the apprentice is studying for.

If you’re an employer interested in taking on an apprentice, contact City College’s apprenticeship team on 01273 667 770 or email apprenticeship@ccb.ac.uk