by business editor Trevor Sturgess

More employers have been urged to offer apprenticeships to counter soaring youth unemployment.

As Medway council confirmed the success of its 100 in 100 days campaign, with pledges from 179 local firms to take on an apprentice, pleas were made for others to follow suit.

With unemployment among 16 to 24-year-olds in Medway accounting for a massive 31% of all claimants of Job Seekers Allowance, Tony Allen, area director for the Skills Funding Agency, said only 10% of employers offered apprenticeships, which meant 90% did not.

"We must all do more to give an apprenticeship opportunity to a young person," he said at Medway council's 100 in 100 celebration event in Chatham Historic Dockyard on Friday.

Council leader Rodney Chambers said the council's £100,000 investment had levered in a further £150,000 from Europe. Firms are paid £2,000 a year per apprentice to fund wages or training.

Eighty-seven young people have already started an apprenticeship in Medway, and 90 are expected to join them by next March.

"Local businesses have grasped the challenge with a great deal of enthusiasm and exceeded our expectations," he said. "Young people have a lot to offer, not least their enthusiasm, and understanding of the internet and new marketing methods such as social media."

Daniel Mills, co-owner of D2 Electrical, Wainscott, has hired 16-year old George Tilbury. He said: "Having an apprentice can massively help out an electrician while out on site.

"Jobs can be completed quicker and two sets of hands are always helpful. We also felt we should give an opportunity to a young lad who is keen to get into a very competitive industry."

George, 16, added: "I've always wanted to learn a trade and doing an apprenticeship seemed like the best way to get started because it's so hands on and you get straight to work."