A group of apprentices at London South East Colleges Orpington Campus were paid a special visit on Friday by local MP and Minister of State for Universities, Jo Johnson.

To mark the last day of National Apprenticeship Week 2017, Mr Johnson spent time meeting some of our apprentices and was served lunch in the College’s award-winning student-led restaurant, BR6.

The Orpington MP was also treated to a tour of BR6, talking to students and staff and hearing more about the work taking place at the region’s largest college.

Speaking to the students, Mr Johnson said: “Apprenticeships are a major priority for Government and it’s hugely encouraging to hear about the great programmes on offer here at London South East Colleges.

“The apprentices I have met today represent the many young people who are benefiting from gaining qualifications within the workplace, ensuring they are learning practical and employability skills.

“Apprenticeships open the door to a range of progression pathways, including university, and set young people on the road to career success. I encourage anyone considering an apprenticeship to look at the many opportunities on offer here.

“I wish the outstanding young people I have met today the very best in their future careers and have no doubt they will all be hugely successful.”

Apprentice chef at BR6, Brandie Allen (19) said: “I really enjoyed meeting Jo Johnson today and telling him about my apprenticeship. I am usually in the kitchen cooking so it was a real treat to sit down in the restaurant!

“I am learning so much here and it’s great to be earning a real wage while I’m training. In the future I am hoping to open my own restaurant and feel the experience I am getting here at BR6 will give me a real head start.”

London South East Colleges operates across Bromley, Bexley, Greenwich and Orpington and we offer a wide range of apprenticeships with many local and national employers.

The College currently has around a hundred apprenticeship vacancies on offer spanning many industries; from construction, engineering and motor vehicle to hairdressing, dental nursing and marketing.

For more information please visit: http://www.lsec.ac.uk/apprenticeships or call the team on 0300 303 2554.

Submitted by Sarah Newman