The campaign comes as the unemployment rate for Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama sits at 9.3 per cent - well above state and national averages.

It is hoped the campaign can improve the youth jobless rates - at 29 per cent for those aged from 15 to 19, and 14.2 per cent for those aged 20 to 24.

The number of employers taking on apprentices dipped by about 20 per cent during the financial crisis.

Illawarra Business Chamber officials have been saying the Government needs to provide employers with greater first-year incentives to take on apprentices, and they have listened.

For that reason Project Kickstart is launched at a time when the Federal Government is providing greater incentives than in the past.

The incentives are for those employers who take on apprentices before the end of February in a range of trades including butchers, bakers, bricklayers, carpenters, electricians, hairdressers and pastry cooks.

Education Minister Julia Gillard said the Apprentice Kickstart plan would more than triple the first-year bonus paid to employers who take on traditional trades apprentices.

"We're boosting the commencement bonus from $1500 to $2350, and then following up with another $2500 at nine months, which means employers will now receive $4850 in the first year for taking on a traditional trade apprentice over the summer," she said.

As part of Project Kickstart, the Mercury will run regular stories providing employers and potential apprentices with everything they need to know about apprenticeships and the Government assistance available to them.

Throsby MP Jennie George encouraged employers to take the time to read about the benefits of taking on an apprentice.

"Once the economy improves, we are going to be in a skills shortage so it really is the perfect time for an employer to take on an apprentice and train them with the skills they need," she said.

"Then they will be ready to make a big contribution once the good times roll again."