100 apprentices in 100 days

He said: "I am very encouraged that businesses are all pulling together to do their bit for young people. It should generate lots of publicity with the Coventry Telegraph on board. I'm sure that a concentrated effort by various organisations which help people back into work or have apprenticeship schemes, including the Council, will help the campaign achieve its goal."

The Council launched its own apprenticeship strategy a few weeks ago to provide at least 120 positions during its lifetime and to increase the range of apprenticeships, with a specific focus on skills shortages, looked after children, people from workless households and those not in education, employment and training.

Cllr Duggins said: "We are a city with a proud tradition of young people serving apprenticeships to gain the skills they need to get on in life. These are tough economic times and I'm proud that the Council has already begun this work."

The campaign was launched today at the Ricoh Arena at the first regional conference of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).