Make Me An Apprentice: Tonight

Monday 26th October 2009, 8pm,  ITV1

Two hundred and fifty applicants, one job and one hell of a recession. As youth unemployment sits just below a million, Lord Sugar and other experts offer tips to the unemployed, while Fiona Foster follows three young men competing for the chance to win a coveted job as a bakers’ assistant.

“Its their own determination that's going to get them a job, right.  Employers are going to look at them, not necessarily for their skills that they may have but for the passion that they may express, across the counter and across the desk. It is very much down to the individual,” he says.

But will that advice work for an arts graduate, a  20 year old who has spent  9 months on the dole and a catering college leaver who are among 250 potential employees competing for the post of a bakers’ assistant at a big supermarket?  Fiona Foster follows them through the interview process where only one will hear the words –‘ you’re hired.’

 Contrary to earlier expectations, it’s the young who’ve been hardest hit in this recession, so Tonight investigates what’s being done to stop the class of 2009 becoming part of a so-called lost generation.

And a panel of self-made business experts including the government’s Business Tsar Lord Sugar, former dragon Richard Farleigh and business consultant Ruth Badger give their top tips on how our 16-24 year olds can get ahead despite the recession.

 Website list

www.hmg.gov.uk/backingyoungbritain.  – Government campaign which unites businesses and government to create thousands of jobs for young people

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople/Workandcareers/Gettingyourfirstjob/index.htm - Information and advice for young people on how to get their first job.

www.direct.gov.uk/graduates - Graduate talent pool website allows graduates to get matched with an internship offered by large and small businesses up and down the country.

www.grb.uk.com - GRB is a private company recruiting students and graduates to jobs. They advertise jobs for their member graduates and recruit suitable applicants to jobs with different companies.

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/p!eLaXi  - Graduate careers website offering advice and job hunting tips.

http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/index.html  - Help, advice and support on job-hunting.

http://www.morrisons.co.uk/Corporate/Work-with-Morrisons - Morrison’s job page with all the latest news and job opportunities.

http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/ - Website that helps people to find out what apprenticeships are available.

http://www.whataboutmoney.info/getting_money/benefits/  - Helpful website which gives independent financial advice for young people including budgeting, what benefits your entitled to and how to start up your own business.

http://www.ruthbadger.com/  - Ruth left school at 16 with 3 GCSE’s – she is now a successful businesswomen and entrepreneur who does motivational speeches to individuals and businesses. 

WWW.ESSENCE-COMMUNICATIONS.COM   -  PR and events company.

http://www.upskill.eu/ - Training company which offers training opportunities to businesses and individuals who are unemployed and need basic construction skills.