WE’VE done it! The Oxford Mail-backed campaign to recruit 100 apprentices in 100 days has smashed its target with time to spare.

To date, employers across the county have pledged to take on 168 apprentices with a massive boost coming from the Oxford-based Premier Sports Group, which is recruiting 75 apprentices to start in September.

Rachel McKellar, South East regional director for the National Apprenticeship Service, which has helped co-ordinate the campaign, said: “The Oxfordshire campaign has been very successful.

“We are really pleased employers stepped up to the challenge and we were able to reach over and above the 100 target which shows their commitment to the apprenticeship programme.”

The recruitment drive started in February with the Government keen to push apprenticeships to tackle record numbers of young people joining the dole queue.

The campaign has been backed by 25 colleges, local authorities and training providers which work with employers to provide the support necessary to help apprentices study while they learn on the job.

Among organisations which have signed up to take on apprentices are the Cowley Mini plant, Hinksey Heights Golf Club, Oxford, and Bicester law firm HMG.

PSG, which runs sports courses for youngsters, last year linked up with Oxford City Football Club and Oxford and Cherwell Valley College to create the Oxford Football Partnership based at City’s Court Place Farm Stadium in Marsh Lane, Marston.

The partnership works tto recruit sports coaching apprentices at a variety of levels helping mainly young people choose a career in sport across a wide spectrum – from fitness instructors to football trainers or to give them a route into university.

This year it has been working with 56 apprentices and is looking to expand thanks to overwhelming demand for places – with 150 applicants in the last month alone.

From September it will be starting a rugby apprenticeship scheme.

PSG director Jon Gardner said: “We want to open up apprentice-ships to as many people as we can.

“We give them opportunities to experience life in the workplace, give them qualifications and offer pathways into full-time jobs or university.”

Partnership course leader Hamish Macurrach added: “All the subjects link in to the individual’s interests and there is a wide variety of courses.”

Anyone wanting more information about apprenticeships should call 08000 150600 or see the website apprenticeships.org.uk