THE launch of a new campaign by Cornwall’s MPs will, it is hoped, create at least a hundred new apprenticeships for young people in 100 days.

Conservative MPs Scott Mann, Derek Thomas, Sheryll Murray, Steve Double, Sarah Newton together with Stratford-on-Avon MP Nadhim Zahawi, the Prime Minister’s adviser for apprentices, are working together to secure pledges from local businesses, charities and schools to take on apprentices for the first time.

They are also working towards the growth and expansion of pre-existing apprenticeship programmes.

Mr Mann said: “I want local young people to be the rising stars of the future and local employers to help grow that talent.”

Celebrities like Jamie Oliver, Stella McCartney and Sir Alex Ferguson all started their careers in apprenticeships.

The hope is that by writing to local businesses, setting out the benefits for them of getting involved, the six MPs can urge anyone interested to contact their MP in order to encourage the growth of apprenticeships in Cornwall.

The ‘100 in 100’ campaign is being led by Mr Zahawi and is part of the Government’s goal of starting three million apprenticeships by 2020.

In the South West 280,450 apprenticeships have started since May 2010 — with 4,950 of them in North Cornwall.

Overall in England there has been a start-up of 2,615,600 apprenticeships.

The formal launch of the campaign will be held in the House of Commons this month.