Telford College principal Janet Ellis, centre, promotes the ‘100 in 5’ initiative with Business Administration apprentice Dhyllan Bhadal, left, and Chris Jones, from the Shropshire Chamber of Commerce. Picture: Ian Sheppard

Telford College of Arts and Technology (TCAT) is ahead of schedule in its ambitious week-long bid to persuade local companies to take on 100 apprentices.

A team from the college has been driving around Shropshire since Monday morning, looking to find businesses in a wide range of sectors prepared to offer jobs to its apprentices.

At the midway point at 2pm yesterday, the “100 in 5” challenge team were already two thirds of the way towards their target, with 66 positions having been promised.

Among the companies to have supported the programme so far is IT firm Capgemini, in Telford, which has offered 30 positions – 27 in its technology division, and three in administration roles.

Telford & Wrekin Council has pledged 10 places for a combination of business administration, childcare and teaching assistants, while others stepping forward to help include Atcham Storage and Distribution and NFU Mutual, plus The Old Jack, at Calverhall near Whitchurch.

TCAT principal and chief executive Janet Ellis said: “We are committed to supporting the drive on apprenticeships locally and regionally through our own Apprentice Academy.

“Our ‘100 in 5’ Challenge is innovative and will benefit the business community, young people and the local economy by creating new opportunities in our region.”

The team is touring the county in a specially-branded car, supplied by Telford motor dealership, Furrows.

Jobs pledged so far span sectors such as manufacturing, health and beauty, retail, food and motor repairs and maintenance.

TCAT said apprenticeships were the perfect opportunity for young people and adults to get the training and skills they needed to enter and progress in work, move into higher-level skills development and build fulfilling careers whilst enabling businesses to build a highly skilled and motivated workforce.

• Follow the challenge live through the TCAT website or on Twitter. Any companies keen to take up the challenge can e-mail 100in5@tcat.ac.uk

By Carl Jones