The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, announced this week that his drive to create more apprentices in the capital has smashed its 20,000 target by almost 50 per cent.

Working in partnership with the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), the Mayor’s campaign has seen 28,120 people find places on schemes with companies across a wide range of the capital’s business sectors.

The Mayor and his Apprenticeship Ambassador, former BBC Apprentice winner Tim Campbell, launched a campaign in November last year to create 20,000 apprenticeships by September 2011.

Mr Johnson lobbied and wrote to some of the capital’s biggest employers, urging them to play their part in helping Londoners find work.

He has led by example, creating around 2,000 apprenticeships in the past two years within the Greater London Authority (GLA) group and its contractors.

Big business has also responded to the Mayor’s call. Companies include HSBC, Accenture, Microsoft, Norton Rose and Channel 4. BSkyB, Visa Europe, Reed Group and The National Theatre have also now given details of new schemes they are creating.

The Mayor said: “In difficult times it is vital we do all we can to create jobs and opportunities for the next generation and that we invest in measures to help us recover more quickly.

“Whether it’s in banking, financial services, technology, media or the arts, we’ve sought to ensure these young people are poised to take advantage of any opportunities that arise.”

This newspaper has also joined forces with the National Apprenticeship Service. Four weeks ago, we launched our 100 In 100 apprenticeship challenge – a 14-week campaign asking businesses, large and small, to employ 100 apprentices in 100 days. It has the backing of local MPs Chris Grayling and Vince Cable as well as Boris Johnson.

The in-paper and online initiative features a mix of advertising, interviews, case studies and editorial coverage on training providers, companies and of course, local apprentices.

Factfile n The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) matches would-be apprentices with employers. Businesses contacting NAS can discuss their needs. All funding for the training is provided for apprentices aged 16 to 18 and up to 50 per cent for those over 19.

n Apprenticeship places are over-subscribed in London, with 17 would-be apprentices for each place.

n Apprentices earn a wage and work alongside experienced staff to gain job-specific skills.

Off the job – usually on a day-release basis – apprentices receive training to work towards nationally recognised qualifications. Anyone living in England, aged over 16, and not in full-time education can apply.