Kent Business is launching its Kick Start Kent campaign to get the county’s young unemployed into work.

We are appealing to companies – small, medium and large – to offer an apprenticeship to someone out of a job.

The KM Group took on an editorial apprentice for the first time this year. New recruit Dan Wright, 18, says he is in the perfect position to begin a career in journalism.

When I finished sixth-form in June this year with some very strong A-Levels, the prospect of bank balance-busting university did not appeal. That said, landing a full-time job was not the easiest of tasks either.

That was when the KM apprenticeship arrived and provided a fantastic opportunity. Now I’m working in a real office environment across the company with NCTJ journalistic training at Lambeth College to boot.

Today I am working in a proper environment and gaining first-hand experience – not trapped in a university lecture room learning ‘how’ to work.

An apprenticeship develops individuals to a great degree but also aids the business, as they gain a young and enthusiastic apprentice who can help achieve those company aims.

Throughout sixth-form I built up my journalistic experience in the motorsport industry, interviewing motor racing converts Sir Chris Hoy, Boyzone’s Shane Lynch and Olympic cycling star Jason Kenny.

But when A-Level studies finished my dream journalism job was hard to come by.

To be in this position is fantastic and shows how apprenticeships should not be dismissed, by any youngster, especially in these tough economic times.

The apprenticeship offers me first-class training, vast experience in various KM offices and a competitive salary. I’m working for an industry-recognised NCTJ diploma and a chance to break into the media world without facing massive university fees.

It is the perfect position that should take me far – and I am certain it will.

For more information to help Kick Start Kent, both potential employers and apprentices just have to email kickstartkent@thekmgroup.co.uk