A SCHEME that has seen more than 130 young people taken on as apprentices across Hambleton is celebrating its sixth year by joining forces with local schools.

The district council’s apprentice scheme provides grant aid to small businesses to help create new opportunities for a 16 to 24-year-olds living in the area.

And as part of National Apprentice Week schools are now promoting apprenticeship opportunities to students leaving schools and colleges from this summer – with career advisors in all schools and colleges keen to hear from prospective employers.

The Hambleton scheme was launched in 2012 and has so far helped 134 apprentices in a wide range of industries.

The grant is given to support small businesses with priority for those with less than 20 employees which have been trading for at least three months.

The apprenticeship must be for at least one year with the apprentice working for at least 30 hours a week. The wage subsidy is £2,000.

For more visit hambleton.gov.uk or contact Roz Caligari on Rozcaligari@hambleton.gov.uk or 01609-767058.