HUNDREDS of young people are due to attend an apprenticeship fair tomorrow.

The Weymouth College fair will show young people the advantages of apprenticeships and how they can earn while learning.

Businesses are also being urged to attend the fair, which is being held between 1.30pm and 5pm.

Lord Digby Jones, business ambassador at UK Trade & Investment, will be speaking at the fair along with a representative from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills.

During the financial year of 2012 and 2013, apprentices delivered £1.8billion of net economic benefits to UK businesses.

The fair has attracted scores of local businesses which are on the hunt for their next apprentice.

Jon Sloper, owner of Dorchester website design and online marketing agency Alacrify, will be bringing along some of the agency’s apprentices.

He said: “We’ve had apprentices working for the business for a while now and think it’s a fantastic way for a business to grow.

“It gives you the chance to create opportunities for people, but also to build the business in a responsive way.”

Alacrify staff will be live tweeting from the fair and promoting #cake clubhour, a business networking session on Fridays between 3pm and 4pm.

Mr Sloper said: “We are very keen to be part of the fair.

“We’ve worked in the area for a long time and we want to build our own networks and meet other businesses who have apprentices at the fair, share our experiences and find our next new apprentice.”

They can be followed @Alacrify.

The fair is backed by the Dorset Echo and is being organised in partnership with the Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce and South Dorset MP Richard Drax.

Chamber president Julie Cleaver said: “The Weymouth & Portland Chamber of Commerce have been fully in support of the Apprenticeship Fair since its conception.

“From personal experience I can vouch that having an apprentice in your business is hugely beneficial for both the employer and the apprentice.

“I always say that an apprentice really needs to look at their apprenticeship as a period of gaining, knowledge, experience and building their contacts list.

“Volunteering is a very good way of doing this during your apprenticeship and also adds a highlight to your CV.

“I am very much looking forward to the fair, where over one hundred businesses will be able to gain knowledge of the apprenticeships that are available at the college and to use the time for valuable networking.”

See weymouth.ac.uk for more information.

TIMETABLE

1.30pm – Guests arrive.

2pm – Welcome, Richard Drax MP.

2.05pm – Julie Cleaver, Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce.

2.10pm – Liz Myles, Weymouth College. 2.15pm – Keynote speech, Lord Digby. Jones.

2.35pm – Q&A.

2.45pm – Break.

3.45pm – National Apprenticeships.

3pm – Q&A.

4.10pm – Employer and Apprentice Panel Q&A.

4.30pm – Closing remarks and finish.