Young apprentices are working for Kingston Council to help bring unemployment figures down.

There have been 150 applicants for the first 12 posts at the council, designed to give young people a chance to earn while they learn.

Amie Hockham, 18, from Kingston, is working in the council’s revenue department while she studies for an NVQ in business administration.

She said: “I didn’t do too badly at school and if I wanted to I could have gone to university but I wanted to earn money, I didn’t want a student loan on my back.

“Not only am I earning money but there is the added bonus of doing an NVQ - adding to the qualifications I already have.”

Kingston Council has pledged to provide 40 apprenticeships by 2012.

For information about the March scheme visit jobs.kingston.gov.uk.