I WRITE in praise of the excellent article by the Bishop of Durham (3 April) about the Echo’s Foundation for Jobs campaign (Echo, Mar 31).

The apprenticeship and internship targets of the campaign are very important as they give young people the first taste of life in employment.

My message to local firms is get on board and formalise your relationship with young people. I know that older workers are looking for jobs (and I recently took one on) but young people have to overcome the question of experience.

As part of The Northern Echo’s campaign my own firm pledged an internship – paid at £250 per week – and held a competition to find the successful applicant. The entries were so good I appointed two – one for 13 weeks the other for five weeks. The winner has proved so enthusiastic I have already offered him an entry level job.

Incidentally, there were dozens of applicants from around the UK and the two successful people were local.

The winner was from Teesside University, the runner-up was unemployed. I did not skew the standards towards local applicants as I want the best for my business, so it is very good to have my instincts confirmed that we do have the talent, initiative and ability to succeed in Tees Valley.

Graham Robb, Recognition PR