Today I'm launching a nationwide campaign to offer three of the country's most promising youngsters the chance to come and work in my business.

It's fair to say that young people have been hit hardest by the economic  downturn with the latest figures showing just under 1million 16-24  year-olds are out of work.

The TUC described the crisis last week as a "national emergency" for the current government. And do you know what, they are absolutely right. I've become so frustrated by the lack of opportunities for young people that I have decided to launch a one-year apprenticeship scheme called "The Dragon's Apprentice".

The successful applicants will get the opportunity to be taught a
lifetime's business skills in a 12-month crash course within my
organisation.

Through training and mentorship, I will equip them with the skills they need to excel in business for life.

I get a great buzz out of introducing open minded, creative people to the ways of business and I want to give something back to this generation.

This is a time when people should be putting their stamp on the world but circumstances aren't going their way and through no fault of their own they find themselves stuck.


We simply can't afford to waste this talent or let their lust for life
dwindle. I want to get some dynamic minds into my organisation and let them get started in the world of business, finding skills that will last a lifetime.

I have already set young people to work in my organisation and have been so impressed with their zeal for life I want to award others the opportunity.

Six months ago I published a job asking for a writer and found Ally Millar who was immediately thrust into the world of entrepreneurialism and is now managing editor of geeks.co.uk.


 I know the importance of guiding and mentoring home-based talent so I lend
 my skills and expertise whenever possible at workshops and entrepreneurial
 events.

At a special BBC Youth Job Panel event I was so impressed with one of the entrepreneurs I have made him my first apprentice. Tom Mursell was just 18 when he founded notgoingtouni.co.uk which gets 30,000 students clicking on it each month.

The site was his answer to the lack of options for school-leavers outside of further education. Now 20, Tom has built his profile by helping students in their post-school options and commentating on the trend for many major broadcasters and newspapers.

Tom is quite unique so I don't want his entrepreneurial success to put people off.

The opportunity is open to anyone. Although we are looking to help ease the problem of youth unemployment, I don't want to put off anyone who thinks they have the necessary skills to do the job so anyone is welcome to apply no matter what your skillset or background.

Experienced, non-experienced, young people, students, graduates,
school-leavers, trades people, ex-professionals, long term unemployed, anyone.

I just want fresh, enthusiastic talent; people who want to put their stamp on the world and want to let me and my organisation show them how to do it.

I want to expose the successful applicants to the business and have them working across my portfolio, expanding their skills and finding a niche for their talent where they will thrive.

I want to meet you and put you to work to learn the ropes from day one so we can help you make your mark.

As I said there are three positions available and we know competition will be fierce.

If you are interested or know anyone who fits the bill, Edinburgh
recruitment consultancy Head Resourcing is supporting this campaign. To find out more details go to http://www.headresourcing.com/dragonsapprentice.stm

 Get your CV to them no later than 5pm on Monday January 18.

The position will be mostly based in Edinburgh and I look forward to
introducing the successful candidates to my teams of colleagues. It's a great opportunity for anyone to seize with both hands and I hope to be interviewing some of you very soon.

To read more about this opportunity click here