AN APPRENTICESHIP jobs fair is being staged today in a bid to give fresh hope to youngsters.

There are currently around 400 vacancies for apprentices in West Sussex alone and organisers of the event are hoping young people will come to the Civic Hall, part of the Town Hall, in The Boulevard, Crawley, from 3pm until 5pm.

Libby White, finished school with just one GCSE and was advised against full-time education.

She is now coming to the end of a Level 2 Apprenticeship in Business Administration at Ifield School in Crawley and she says the course has exceeded all of her expectations.

The 19-year-old said: "It has actually worked out really well and I do think it suits me more than education.

"It’s just really different and it is not just sitting in a classroom.

"I’m really enjoying it. It’s good to get paid, learn, get training on the job and have hands on experience at the same time.

"I thought it was going to be a lot of paper work but it’s been really good and I have done a lot of different stuff.

"I’m first aid trained so I can go on school trips and I also help on reception.

"I do want to be an English teacher eventually so the experience of being in the school will help me as well.

"They have been really good here actually as they know about my long term career plans so they have had me in English lessons taking notes."

The fair is an opportunity for jobseekers, businesses and residents to find out about apprenticeships and the opportunities they provide.

Councillor Stephen Hillier, county council cabinet member for children, said: "There were more than 2,900 successful apprenticeships in West Sussex in 2014/15 and I hope this number will continue to grow.

"The young people in our county have an incredibly diverse range of talents and I hope that many look to apprenticeships as the start of a bright and exciting future."

To find out more about apprenticeships in West Sussex, visit westsussex.gov.uk/apprenticeships/