Surrey County Council has set a target of filling 100 apprenticeship places in a year. The pledge follows a commitment to ensure all 16 to 19-year-olds in Surrey are in education, training or employment by 2015. Surrey's aim is for up to 20 of the new apprenticeships to go to children in care.

This financial year the council has created 75 apprenticeships. A further 32 staff have registered for an apprenticeship qualification.

The latest push comes after a separate campaign spearheaded by the council to fill 200 apprentice places with Surrey employers in 100 days reached its target with time to spare.

Apprenticeships are offered in services such as highways, countryside management, information technology and adult social care.

Tim Hall, Surrey County Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Learning, said: "This pledge to create 100 apprenticeships is part of our goal of making sure nobody in Surrey is classed as not in education, employment or training (NEET) by 2015.

"Although the number of NEETs in Surrey is very low compared to the national average, it is important we do all we can to create jobs and opportunities to prepare today's young people for a successful future."

Sophie Macco secured a job in administration with the council after doing an apprenticeship.

She said: "Thanks to Surrey's apprenticeship scheme I am now on the career ladder, have extra training certificates and well-recognised job experience."

Surrey has one of the lowest number of young people considered NEET in the country with less than four in a hundred being classed as such. The national average is more than six in a hundred.

Apprenticeships are paid jobs that incorporate on and off the job training. Successful apprentices receive a nationally recognised qualification.