A new scheme encouraging local businesses to hire apprentices was launched this week in a bid to tackle youth unemployment in Merton.

More than 60 guests, attended the launch of the Take One programme, an initiative of the Merton Chamber of Commerce, at the Wimbledon Park Golf Club on Wednesday.

The project aims to provide a link between local businesses and the 825 unemployed young people in the borough struggling to find work, as well as educate businesses on the benefits of hiring apprentices.

Speaking at the event, Ray Kinsella, business engagement manager at Merton Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are setting up locally to help businesses go through the process of finding and employing apprentices.

"We’ll put you in touch with those who can help you and simplify the system, which can look quite daunting.”

John Robson, managing director of Mitcham-based live events company Aztec, has hired five apprentices since 2011.

He said: “We’ve been able to give two of our apprentices full-time positions and they are loyal, responsible and really good.

“Although we also did it for philanthropic reasons, the main motivation we had for hiring apprentices was the government incentives.”

Businesses were joined at the event by representatives from the National Apprenticeship Service and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development who were on hand to offer advice to those interested in hiring apprentices.

Sam Wood, 21, from South Norwood, was unemployed for more than a year before he landed an apprenticeship with Aztec.

He said: “I was literally applying for five, six jobs a day and getting nowhere. It was the same old story of ‘you don’t have experience, we’re not interested in you’.

“I started off applying for jobs that I really wanted, but then it sort of progressed towards desperation, I’d take anything. When I came across Aztec, it was a case of ‘where has this job been hiding?’ It’s perfect for me – I’m being trained, being paid and I’m interested in what I’m doing.”

Kevin Godding, owner of Coffee in the Woods in Colliers Wood: “My daughter is 19 and didn’t want to go to university, so she’s very keen to make sure we support local young people.

"I’m going to talk to Ray [Kinsella], because I want to make sure that he thinks we’re right to have an apprentice.”

Rosemary Lillie, owner of West Wimbledon Physiotherapy Clinic: "As a small business owner I need someone to do the work for me, to organise all the training and to help me find an apprentice, rather than me go out and start finding someone from scratch.

"So that is what I wanted to get from today. I’m very interested in taking somebody on, hopefully soon.”