MORE than 100 new apprentices will be taken on in Lancashire, it has been revealed.

The jobs were pledged during National Apprenticeship Week, which ended on Friday.

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will take on 100 apprentices, Blackburn with Darwen Council will hire 20, and Lancashire County Council will take on five.

Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Kate Hollern, said the authority now employs 48 apprentices.

She said: “The council has a commitment to take on apprentices on an annual basis. Young people have so much to offer the council and this is a great way to develop real on-the-job skills and learn a great deal, especially in the current economic climate. We've got some great apprentices who make a real contribution.”

County council leader Jennifer Mein said: “As an employer, the county council is firmly committed to providing employment and training opportunities to young people. Our own apprenticeship programme is nationally recognised as a beacon of good practice.”