A BRAND new website is to be launched in Worcestershire next week to correspond with National Apprenticeship Week.

The site at www.WorcsApprenticeships.org.uk will provide a forum for employers to post any vacancies and job seekers to find the apprenticeship programme which is right for them, as well as a host of other information including that for training providers.

Gary Woodman, executive director at Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: "This campaign is a great way for young people and businesses to celebrate their apprenticeship programmes and be recognised for the work they are doing in developing the skills of the young workforce. The number of people participating in apprenticeship schemes in Worcestershire now stands at more than 10,000 which is more than four times the number in 2011. I am pleased to say the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership is a Worcestershire apprenticeship employer and I do hope many businesses will get involved."

Cllr Simon Geraghty, cabinet member for economy, skills and infrastructure at Worcestershire County Council, added: "This week is a great opportunity to further celebrate the excellent apprenticeship opportunities available across Worcestershire. We also hope that organisations who don’t currently offer apprenticeship places, consider doing to. You can visit the website which provides a wealth of information and we may see your apprentices recognised at this year’s Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards, which will take place on November 12.”

To mark the national campaign, apprentices, organisations that offer apprenticeship programmes and those which support the creation of apprenticeship opportunities are being asked to join the Twitter campaign. Materials can be downloaded from the new website so that as well as the hashtag #WorcsApprentices, those taking part can photograph themselves holding a sign with one of the following messages alongside the new web address:

* I am 1 of 10,000 Worcestershire Apprentices

* I am proud to employ Worcestershire Apprentices

* I am proud to support Worcestershire Apprenticeships.

Businesses also have until the end of the week on Sunday, March 15 to complete the apprenticeship surveys on the Worcestershire LEP's website www.wlep.co.uk or via a link on the new Worcestershire Apprenticeship website. A number of businesses have already taken the opportunity to share their thoughts and experiences and the surveys are open until March 15 to allow others to do so.