NORTH Yorkshire county council has been named as one of the UK's top 100 apprenticeship employers.

The county council entered the top 100 list, which is compiled annually by the National Apprenticeship Service in partnership with City & Guilds, after being named a winner in the Skills Funding Agency National Apprenticeship awards last week.

This follows success in September when the county council became the Yorkshire and Humber regional winner of the National Apprenticeship Award for Macro Employer of the Year 2014.

The county council is committed to creating and improving work opportunities for young people across North Yorkshire and supporting their career development at a time when employment choices for the young have been limited by the economic downturn. The authority understands the pressures facing young people in this largely rural county and the need for good career opportunities.

To achieve this, the county council has a dedicated apprenticeship programme called Real Start, which provides a structured employment route for young people. All vacancies of suitable basic grade posts are offered as apprenticeships and apprentices receive an extensive support package including induction, networking and recognition of good progress. More than 85 per cent of apprentices move into a permanent full salaried position once they have completed their apprenticeship. Many of the young people who become apprentices were previously not in employment, education or training, so the scheme provides them with a real opportunity for their future.

The county council also works with its contractors and partners to help them establish apprenticeships on the same basis and helps with recruitment for these.

"This is an exceptional scheme and one of which we are very proud," said County Councillor Carl Les, deputy council leader. "The Real Start programme means we can provide a range of high-quality employment opportunities for young people in North Yorkshire. Moreover, we have shown that it is a sustainable model that appeals to young people and their parents as it offers real employment progression, a substantive salary, skills development and work experience to prepare for longer term career development."

In addition to apprenticeships, the county council runs an in-house graduate development scheme increasing overall the number of young people working for the authority.