By Victoria Brenan

Last updated at 13:12, Thursday, 14 February 2013

A week-long interview ‘Olympics’ are to be staged by Lakes College and Esh Group to help young people struggling to find a career.

The week will be held next month and aims to pit applicants against one another for the chance of a 12 month apprenticeship with Esh, the main contractor building and designing the Energy Coast Construction Skills Centre, at Lakes College, Lillyhall

Called ‘The A Factor’, it is open to unemployed, or under-employed, young people, from school leavers to those aged 24. Lakes College will be taking applications via their website from today. Successful applicants will be invited to take part in a week full of activities from March 11 to 15 – National Apprenticeship Week.

They hope the week will culminate in a job interview for an office-based job, helping Esh with community engagement projects.

Bill McCafferty, Esh Group business development director, said they were pleased to offer the opportunity.

“They will join the Esh Added Value Team to help us to bring more benefit to communities in Cumbria,” he said.

The week, which is being described as a cross between The Apprentice and Channel 4’s Hotel GB, will see applicants use their skills and knowledge to impress judges throughout the week.

‘The A Factor’ is the brainchild of Lorraine Irving and Clare McGuinness, from Lakes College.

Lorraine said: “We really wanted to highlight the message behind National Apprenticeship Week this year, which is apprenticeships deliver.”

“The college is committing several thousand pounds to give successful applicants a chance to refine their skills throughout the week, by using fun competitions that let them use existing skills, but also supporting them within that week with targeted training, and delivering extra skills that employers are seeking,” she added.

Any young people who want to take part in the scheme should register interest on www.lcwc.ac.uk/afactor by March 1.

First published at 13:00, Thursday, 14 February 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk