Skills minister John Hayes has officially backed the ‘100 in 100’ apprenticeship campaign launched at IFSEC 2011 to underpin 100 new apprenticeship placements across the security sector in 100 days.

Devised by Skills for Security and CSL DualCom, and fully supported by the British Security Industry Association, the National Security Inspectorate and the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board ‘100 in 100’ is wholly focused on placing 100 apprenticeships in roles across the industry within a 100-day timeframe which started on Monday 16 May.

Conservative MP John Hayes who, in his capacity as Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning at the Department for Business Innovation and Skills commented:

“This Government is on the side of employers who invest in the skills of their people – and we’re working with business to deliver the biggest and best apprenticeships programme our country has ever seen. By launching its own campaign to deliver more apprenticeships, the security sector is giving ambitious young people the opportunity to build rewarding careers in the sector, and laying a firm foundation for sustained growth.”

At last count, the scheme organisers have received enquiries from 92 employers with 18 new apprentices already signed up and more in the pipeline over the next few weeks.

Skills for Security’s CEO David Greer said: “At Skills for Security we’ve always known that apprenticeships are an ideal way for young people to start their careers in the security industry, and we have the success stories to prove it. We’re absolutely delighted that the ‘100 in 100’ campaign has sparked a new interest from the systems sector, and our business development advisers are currently visiting employers across the country to sign up new apprentices each week.”