Grimsby Institute Group student Lewis Baxter, 18, placed an ad appealing for someone to take him on as an electrician after hitting a brick wall with job applications.
The ad was spotted by payroll company boss David Jackson of Hudson Contract who decided to step-in and help.
Jackson said: “I met Lewis and talked to the people who run his course and discovered this was not a one-off case.
“All the students were finding it tough to find anyone willing to take them on as apprentices. Many firms wanted to help, but couldn’t afford to do so, and the situation was made worse because so many students were applying to the same firms in the same area.
“Hudson Contract is the UK’s largest Construction Industry Scheme contract and payroll provider, so it is appropriate for us to give something back to our industry and its future.
“I had been reading about how construction is lagging behind in taking on apprentices, and how we need younger people going into the trade.
“So this is our way of helping a few enthusiastic teenagers get their first role within their chosen industry.”
One of the employers who has taken on an apprentice thanks to the Hudson Contract Apprentice Scheme is plumber Chris Ferrey.
He said: “I started out as an apprentice, so I was keen to give someone else the same opportunity I had.
“When one of the students – Luke Richards – volunteered to work for free, I realised how keen he was, and the sponsorship scheme helped me make up my mind.”
Cathy Hough, Director of Work Based Learning at Yorkshire Coast College said: “In the current economic climate, where many employers are struggling or unwilling to invest in training or new staff, this generous sponsorship has provided a fantastic opportunity for these apprentices.
“We are enormously grateful to Hudson Contract.”