TAKING a break from his constituency office, East Devon MP Hugo Swire shadowed apprentices at a Sidmouth building company to understand the vital role apprenticeships have today.

TAKING a break from his constituency office, East Devon MP Hugo Swire shadowed apprentices at a Sidmouth building company to understand the vital role apprenticeships have today.

He joined staff at Skinner Construction on Friday to see them at work and discover why more employers are needed to offer apprenticeships.

More than 130,000 employers do employ apprentices nationally.

Mr Swire's visit follows Apprenticeship Week and he is one of a number of MPs to go back to industries to learn more about apprenticeships.

Reflecting on his day at Skinners, Mr Swire said: "Apprenticeships have a key role to play, both in realising the potential of individuals and in ensuring the UK economy benefits from a highly-skilled workforce."

Employers can find out more at www.apprenticeships.org.uk or at (08000) 150 600.