THE new Minister for Skills and Equalities, Nick Boles MP, joined Ealing and Acton MP Angie Bray on a visit to the Ealing campus of Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College to talk about apprenticeships.

It was the minister's first visit to a further education college since his appointment.

He told an audience there was no cap to where they can progress if they do an apprenticeship.

Angie Bray added: "I am a firm believer in the value of apprenticeships, so it was great for the minister to come to Ealing to see the excellent work taking place at the college.

“Young people are passionate about getting into work and obtaining the skills they need to get on, so it's great to see apprenticeships take off."

The college's business and administration apprentices work for a wide range of organisations.

Casey Ruff, 26, who works in human resources for Hammersmith and Fulham Council, said it was the right option for people who wanted to earn as they learn.

Employers working with the college also had an opportunity to share their experiences.

Elaine McCulloch, from K10, an organisation which specialises in providing apprentices for the construction industry, said: “We've grown very quickly from 30 to 50 apprentices out of the Acton campus.”