AN APPRENTICESHIP programme born in Merseyside just three months ago will be used as the blueprint for other councils nationwide.

Employment minister Tony McNulty confirmed the success of The Knowsley Apprentice had attracted the interest of Westminster during a visit to Kirkby yesterday.

A series of meetings between council leaders and the minister will now take place to start the process of rolling the initiative out across the country.

The programme found paid employment for 100 young people in less than 100 days, each post lasting three years.

Knowsley council leader Cllr Ron Round, who is credited with the idea, pressed Mr McNulty for more money to ensure it is repeated in the coming years.

He said: “You gave us the opportunity and flexibility in 2008 to use the Working Neighbourhood Fund (WNF) and I would like you to increase the grant funding in 2009-2010.”

Mr McNulty said later: “Worklessness is absolutely what the WNF is for, but broadly over the next years the allocation is already made.”

Julie Connor, 19, of Kirkby, said: “I really wanted a job for the sense of independence, but didn’t think I’d get one. Now I’m just excited.”