Pictured above: PM Training apprentices Tom Philips and James Hackney with Steve Wright, Steve Rushton, Will Nixon, Sue Howell and Helen Walters

A Staffordshire training provider today announced a landmark partnership which will create up to 100 apprenticeships for local young people.

PM Training, a social enterprise which tackles worklessness among teenagers, has joined forces with Kier Stoke to provide the programme.

Unemployment in the area is still higher than regional and national averages, but the pioneering partnership will help address this issue.

Will Nixon, Chief Executive of PM Training, said: "By partnering with Kier, we have gained a select list of contractors and developers that we are now able to work with.

"In return we can provide work ready apprentices, guaranteed to bring great value, new energy, increased productivity and long-term prosperity to these businesses."

Twenty-five apprentices have already been snapped up by local organisations including building services company BGC Limited, Environmental Essentials, Unicorn Decorators, Holdcroft Heating and Brenden Fern Plumbing Contractors.

"By June we could be providing 75 organisations with first class apprentices, creating up to 100 opportunities for young people," said Will.

"This figure is set to grow given the variety of different sectors that we provide training in.

"Companies have found that an apprentice learning on the job is much more likely to hit the ground running when given a permanent position than someone who has no practical experience."

PM Training has already helped more than 10,000 people across North Staffordshire into sustainable jobs and apprenticeships, enabling hundreds of companies to benefit from increased productivity and staff retention.

Steve Wright, Operations Director at BGC Ltd, has already taken on 12 apprentices from PM Training.

"The quality of candidates has been excellent and in the next two weeks we are hoping to bring on another four," he said.

"They are completing apprenticeships in heating and electrical services.

"Every single apprentice has hit the ground running and is fully equipped to succeed in the workplace. The quality of training and mentoring that they have received really comes through."

He added: "Young people matter and our partnership with PM Training is an investment in their future - it is good to give something back to the community."

Lawrie Weaver, Partnership Director of Kier Building and Maintenance, praised PM Training's approach to trainees: "The way they manage them is fantastic, and they really make a difference. As an employer you know they come to you work-ready."

PM Training has been supporting and supplying apprentices to companies since 1982. It is consistently the most successful training provider in Staffordshire with apprenticeship opportunities in construction trades, business administration, engineering, landscaping, manufacturing, customer services and warehousing and distribution.