Up to 100 apprentices could be taken on by Keighley firms as part of a major push to get teenagers into jobs.

A training organisation is seeking dozens of companies across several types of business willing to take on young people.

Up to £15,000 of Govern-ment money is available for each apprentice along with extra funding for their training courses.

Apprentices can be taken on for business administration and law, engineering and manufacturing technology, or retail and commercial enterprise.

The recruitment drive, entitled 100-1, is being spearheaded by training association and charity Appris Management Ltd and Keighley training company EMD.

Appris already oversees 400 learners in training programmes with more than 150 companies in West Yorkshire.

Dean Coleman-Walker, Appris’s business development advisor, said the organisation wanted to find at least 50 apprentices but could cater for 100.

He added: “Many businesses are not aware there is significant funding allow-ances for apprentices, and we believe employers and young people in the area will seriously benefit from these schemes.”

Apprenticeships are fully funded for 16-to-18-year-olds, and an employer contribution is required towards the learning costs of 19 to 24-year-olds. Additional grants are available for manufacturing and engineering.