Harriett Baldwin MP has voiced her support of community businesses making an effort to offer more apprenticeship opportunities to young people in the area.

Mrs Baldwin welcomed the initiatives after attending a reception in Westminster during Apprenticeship Week to honour apprentices across the country.

She met with several young people, including hospitality apprentice, Meg Riach, from Ashton Under Hill, who is one of thousands of apprentices in the hospitality sector, at the event on Wednesday, February 7.

Since 2010, West Worcestershire has seen 8,220 apprenticeship opportunities given to youngsters.

According to recent statistics, over five million apprenticeships have been offered across the country in the period.

This alternative to traditional education allows young people to boost their skills while earning an income.

The Government unveiled a new teaching apprenticeship this week which proposes an alternate path for prospective teachers.

This comes amidst record funding for skills and apprenticeships, with an investment increase to £2.7 billion for the next year.

The West Worcestershire MP said: "Apprentice Week is a great opportunity to mark the work of those who prefer to earn while they learn as well as promoting the huge value they can offer to employers."

“Over the years, I have spoken to hundreds of local employers who have opted to take on an apprentice and nationally the Government has strongly supported this alternative way of training a skilled workforce.

"I’m glad to gather in Westminster to celebrate apprentices but most important of all, whenever I visit a local employer, I ask whether they are able to take on their own apprentice when conditions allow."