More than 100 young people in Kent have started work in apprenticeships a year after the launch of a campaign by the KM Group.

The Kick Start Kent initiative was set up to encourage companies to hire an apprentice as a way of tackling growing levels of youth unemployment.

Originally launched with the aim of getting 50 companies to take on a young person within a year, the programme has so far persuaded 88 firms to sign up.

They are employing 105 apprentices in sectors ranging from accountancy to hairdressing.

Another 22 companies are poised to join the successful campaign, interviewing candidates for another 27 placements.

Recruitment for the initiative was kicked into life by the inclusion of MidKent College, based in Maidstone and Gillingham, who joined in March this year.

They were persuaded to get on board after the Duke of York endorsed the campaign at an event in Maidstone Museum in February, hosted by the KM Group.

They pledged to add another 50 firms to the target, doubling it to 100 companies, and are confident they will have doubled their own goal and handled 100 employers by the end of the month.

The college is developing another 72 potential vacancies with 66 companies.

MidKent College acting principal Simon Cook said: “As a former apprentice myself, I can appreciate the opportunities this provides individuals and employers.

“We are really pleased to be a key partner in the success of many local businesses who have shared our ambition.

“Our team works tirelessly with employers to help them look at the benefits and opportunities for taking on apprentices and we are also well placed to be able to match these vacancies with our college students.

“Each year we see the positive impact that apprenticeships have, not only on the individual apprentices but also on those employers who commit to taking on an apprentice...” - MidKent College's Simon Cook

“Each year we see the positive impact that apprenticeships have, not only on the individual apprentices but also on those employers who commit to taking on an apprentice.”

As part of the campaign, the college has hired five apprentices itself in business administration, IT, learning technology and youth work.

Mr Cook added: “We believe in the impact of employing apprentices in our organisation and have seen improved productivity, the introduction of new ideas, improved staff morale and better staff retention.”

Foster care agency Futures for Children hired an apprentice in September after getting in touch with MidKent College through the Kick Start Kent campaign.

Katie Ord from Sheppey, who went to Fulston Manor School in Sittingbourne, is doing a business administration apprenticeship at the Maidstone-based company.

Senior administrator Fay Thompson said: “We have found that having an apprentice working with us provides a broader age range to our office plus, they have often have ideas on working practices that come from a fresh way of looking at things.

“Aside from the obvious cost-savings of taking on an apprentice, I have found that they are very hard working and a valuable, integrated member of the team.”

The Kick Start Kent campaign aims to inspire employers to hire an apprentice by providing clear information about their benefits and the work involved in the recruitment process.

The initiative is run in partnership with MidKent College, IPS International and KATO.

For information about hiring an apprentice, or about becoming one, visit www.KentBusiness.co.uk/KickStartKent or email kickstartkent@thekmgroup.co.uk.