Cut-throat competition for jobs caused by record unemployment among young people has resulted in more than 4,000 hopefuls applying for 50 engineering apprenticeships at a building services group.

Ilkley-based firm N G Bailey was inundated with applications for its trainee recruitment programme which has run for more than 40 years. And the scramble for work is expected to be mirrored as Bradford’s biggest social housing group Incommunities starts its recruitment campaign offering trainees placements for electrical, gas plumbing, joinery and plastering work.

Bradford Councillor David Green, who is responsible for regeneration, said: “The demand for apprenticeships at N G Bailey demonstrates there’s still a high level of interest in engineering and the skills required to get into those industries.

“What we need to do, and what we are doing, is working with firms to try to expand the number of jobs on offer in manufacturing, which is still a major part of the Bradford economy, and also work with schools, colleges and education providers to make sure young people are aware of all the options available to them – not only A-levels and university but all but apprenticeships and on-the-job training.

“I would encourage all employers to seriously consider working with the Council and the colleges to develop apprenticeship schemes because there’s a hell of a lot of enthusiasm out there among young people for apprenticeships and we need to make it as easy as possible for apprenticeships to be offered not just by big firms but SMEs as well.”

NG Bailey’s latest batch of apprentices for its maintenance division will develop their skills through a combination of classroom studies and practical experience, site visits and regular mentoring. They will spend time at the company’s purpose-built engineering academy in Leeds, which has helped about 5,000 apprentices since it opened in 1969.

Stuart Linington, the managing director of the maintenance arm, said: “My first job was as an apprentice and it gave me a strong grounding. I learned a lot – it offered a rare insight into the world of building maintenance.

Delroy Beverley, responsible for managing Incommunities’ apprenticeship programme, said more than 1,000 people had registered on the group’s website within 24 hours of the scheme being announced.

He said: “It’s not about how many apply, the issue is what will happen to the 2,500 we can’t give jobs to. We need to keep their spirits high and dig deeply into our conscience and say ‘if we can’t give you a job, with our influence how can we create an opportunity for you somewhere’.”

Bradford-based Yorkshire Water is taking on its second tranche of apprentices in the autumn. It will select 11 trainees, who will be guaranteed a job, from 50 summer work experience candidates.

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