A SNOOKER champ will be in Accrington today to back a campaign to recruit 100 apprentices in the town.

Six times world snooker champion, Steve Davis, has accepted an offer to become North Lancs Training Group’s ambassador and will launch the role by helping Accrington youngsters into work.

NLTG is offering up to 100 apprenticeship places at their Accrington base, in areas ranging from hotel and catering, business administration to joinery and manufacturing.

At the beginning of the year, the group reported it was struggling to fill more than 60 apprenticeships, including 20 in Accrington – even with 3,500 young people in East Lancashire searching for work.

However, the group is hopeful that, with Steve Davis on board, it can get the message home that there are opportunities up for grabs with the launch at Accrington Martket Hall.

NLTG’s learning manager Chris Lovell said: “I’m an ex apprentice and my son just leaving school is going into an apprenticeship.

“We have lots of people come in through word of mouth, who can’t believe how good the opportunities are.

"It’s like a big secret. Hopefully with Steve on board, more people will be in on it.”

Steve Davis said: "I'm excited about my role as I firmly believe apprenticeships are key to a young person's future when leaving school.

“I've known NLTG since the mid nineties and watched with admiration how it has grown into what it is today.

“The new Vocational Centre of Excellence is a huge step for the community in having first class apprenticeship training facilities in the heart of the town."

Steve will be at Accrington Market Hall today between 12.30pm and 2.30pm to recruit youngsters aged 16-18.

NLTG's recruitment team will be on hand to offer instant interviews to anyone who wants to apply for an apprenticeship.

Tomorrow, those interested in apprenticeships can visit an all-day recruitment event at NLTG’s Old Bakery site on Grange Lane.

For more information contact NLTG on 01254 395355.