JUST three weeks into a special campaign to secure 100 apprentice roles in 100 days, we are already closing in on our target.

The Gazette has joined forces with the National Apprentiship Service, Colchester Institute and the town’s MP, Sir Bob Russell, in a bid to secure the opportunities for young people in Colchester.

Gazette:

So far, we have secured 95 apprenticeships, including ones in engineering, childcare, business administration and health and social care.

Debbie McArthur, apprenticeship hub manager at Colchester Institute, said: “We’re doing really well.

“The response has been good and it has been steady. When you start something like this, you’ve always got trepidation. You think it’s a wonderful idea and hope everyone else gets on board. And they seem to have done that."

Read the full story in today's Gazette.