A NEW website offering youngsters information on available business apprenticeships is proving a hit.

More than 360 vacancies have been posted on Apprenticeships Online since it launched in September with 600 young people registering and more than 30 securing an apprenticeship.

It's the brainchild of youth advice agency Connexions which aims to have 2,500 vacancies posted within the first year and at least 1,000 young people recruited onto an Apprenticeship programme.

Ann-Louise Hancock, head of people division at Southampton based financial services giant Skandia UK, has used the service.

She said: "Apprenticeships Online is an excellent new system which helps employers and candidates to link up and identify potential training and employment opportunities. Skandia has recently advertised two positions through Connexions and been very impressed by the response received. The security of the system offers reassurance to the employer and candidate and also allows us to respond to any request received speedily."

For more information visit www.apprenticeshipsonline.org or e-mail apprenticeships@connexions-southcentral.org