HUNDREDS of young people met with trainers and potential employers at a major apprenticeship event.

King George’s Hall in Blackburn was packed yesterday afternoon as teenagers spoke with companies, colleges and apprenticeship specialists.

Application forms were filled out and stacked high at various stalls as young people were given advice and learned about new opportunities.

Chris Precious, business development officer at Blackburn College said: “It was a brilliant day, really busy and productive.

“There’s no denying the job market is far from rosy, but every stallholder had vacancies and opportunities.

“The recession has been very long and hard for young people, but are starting to turn a corner. “We’ve also been able to give people training advice because we know which sectors need people and which are getting oversubscribed.”

Visitor Chloe Waddington, 18, from Blackburn, said: “I’m going to be picking up my A-level results today and I just wanted to see what options were available really.

“I turned up without a clue of what I wanted to do next, but now I have loads of ideas.”

Recruitment advisor Hayley Lawrenson at Places for People said: “Training is changing and we represent all sorts of companies and different types of roles.

“We champion a ‘grow your own’ scheme where firms take charge of developing their staff.”

The Apprenticeships For You event was organised by The Via Partnership in conjunction with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, the National Apprenticeship Service and the education and employers’ Taskforce charity.

For futher information about apprenticeships and to search and apply for vacancies visit www.appren ticeships.org.uk or call 08000 150 600.