British business tycoon to help young people get hired

Millionaire businessman tycoon Lord Sugar was named Wednesday as the British government's enterpreneur as part of a drive to get more young people start their own businesses.

The successful entrepreneur, who left school at 16, hosts the popular Apprentice program on British television, based on the format of a similar show in the United States hosted by Republican hopeful Donald Trump.

Sugar's cutting "You're Fired" line has become a familiar catchphrase in Britain, as one by one the rival apprentices in his program are dispatched.

Now Sugar will champion enterprise across the country by undertaking roadshows to highlight advantages for young people in starting businesses or becoming apprentices.

"Lord Sugar's record in business makes him ideally suited to lead the campaign," said a spokesman for the country's department for business, skills and innovation.

As well as championing enterprise and apprenticeships among young people, Sugar will also encourage more businesses to hire apprentices.

Sugar made his fortune building up two successful computer firms, Amstrad and Viglen.

Sugar said: "I'm delighted to be taking on this challenge. I built successful businesses with the support of hundreds of talented young people who learned their skills on the job; exactly the kinds of skills you learn in an apprenticeship. But not enough of our young people know about apprenticeships and what they offer, and too few feel empowered to set up their own business."

Lord Sugar's role will be to help the government deliver three million apprenticeship in England by 2020.

The government has already announced the introduction of an apprenticeship levy to increase the quality and quantity of apprenticeships in England. As well, an employer-led Institute for Apprenticeships will launch next year to this aim. Endit