OUR bid to recruit 100 apprentices in 100 days is already more than halfway towards its target after just one day.

Scores of employers, trainers, colleges and officials from the National Apprenticeship Service gathered at the Milton House Hotel, in Steventon, to support the campaign backed by the Oxford Mail.

And 19 bosses put their money where their mouth is by pledging to sign up 59 apprentices.

Zeena Cala, employer services director for the National Apprenticeship Service, said: “It has been a fantastic launch to our campaign.

“But we do no’t want to rest on our laurels. We really want to smash the target of recruiting 100 apprentices in the next 100 days.”

Among the speakers at the event, which attracted a total of 61 employers from across the county, were current apprentices Joe Hiles, 20, from Standlake, and Joss Coulton, 29, from Wallingford.

Mr Coulton, who worked for heating engineer Andrew Gowing, in Wallingford, while also studying for an NVQ Level 3 at Oxford & Cherwell Valley College, said: “I had a job in recruitment, but it was not working for me.

“When I was made redundant I decided to start again in plumbing and heating.

“I am really enjoying my new career. It is a skill I will always have and it has changed my life.”

Gary Baker, chief executive of solicitors’ practice HMG Law, took on apprentice Jade Bowerman at the firm’s Bicester office last September.

He said: “It is not something we have done before, but Jade has just finished her course in business administration and it has worked out very well.

“She is keen to learn and has taken to the office environment with great enthusiasm and we will certainly be keeping her on. As a firm we have a history of progressing administration staff to become legal secretaries and even solicitors.

“The Oxfordshire 100 in 100 campaign is an excellent way of raising awareness. Apprenticeships are there for all kinds of businesses, not just the engineering and building trades.”

Oxfordshire’s largest private sector employer, BMW, which runs the Cowley Mini plant, is already taking on 23 apprentices this year.

Laura Lyne, head of training for BMW UK, said: “We have a long tradition of recruiting apprentices. It is a very good investment for us.

“This year the level of our applicants has been very high and it is not unusual for some to have 10 As at GCSE. It is a very positive situation for the young person and the company.