Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has pledged his support to a campaign to create 100 apprenticeships in 100 days during a visit to Morrisons’ Bradford headquarters last night.

The Liberal Democrat leader gave his backing to the Bradford Apprentice Challenge – supported by the Telegraph & Argus, Bradford Council and the National Apprenticeships Service – as he met members of a training scheme at the Bradford supermarket giant’s Gain Lane head office.

More than 30 businesses are involved in the initiative so far, with each committing to undertake at least one of five actions – do more to invest in skills, improve links with education, offer a work placement to an unemployed person or offer an apprenticeship and mentor a budding entrepreneur.

Mr Clegg said: “I’m a huge advocate of apprentices and a massive supporter of your campaign. I very much hope local employers will support the 100 in 100 days push.”

The Sheffield Hallam MP was taken on a tour of a kitchen at Morrisons’ headquarters yesterday, where he met trainee butchers and bakers taking part in an apprenticeship scheme.

The supermarket chain has vowed to offer at least 2,000 new jobs to young people through the Government’s £1bn Youth Contract, announced by Mr Clegg earlier this month. The MP said he was a “massive believer” in apprenticeships because they “serve as a bridge between education and employment.”

He added: “They give people the skills they need to work and provide young people to employers with the skills they need. It’s a ‘win win’ situation for young people, the local economy and employers.”

During the visit, Mr Clegg was taught how to plait dough, fillet a fish and sampled products cooked by apprentices in the supermarket head office kitchen.

After the tour, he said: “I’m extremely impressed. I think everyone in Bradford should be proud a Bradford company, born and bred in the area, has expanded dramatically while maintaining its strong roots in the community and strong loyalty to British products, which I think is great.”

The Bradford Apprentice Challenge was launched in February and employers hoping to take part in the initiative have until Wednesday, May 16, to pledge their support.

Mohammed Mayat, employer account manager at the National Apprentice-ship Service, said: “Businesses in Bradford have really shown their commitment to apprenticeships. We are confident that we will meet our target of 100 apprentices in 100 days.”

For more information about apprenticeships and what they can offer businesses go to apprenticeships.org.uk or call 08000 150 600.