Two Newton Abbot councillors and employers have been at the forefront of training young local apprentices.

Two Newton Abbot councillors and employers have been at the forefront of training young local apprentices.

Pilkington Marine and Best Accountancy Services have both trained and employed apprentices, supporting them to develop skills and experience in their chosen professions.

In supporting National Apprentice Week Newton Abbot Town Councillor Mike Pilkington highlighted how much apprentices had helped his business, Pilkington Marine.

"We have been in business for 50 years this year. During that time, we have rarely been without an apprentice.

Many of our ex apprentices now work for very large international companies or run their own company, in both cases keeping up the tradition of training young people.

We train our apprentices in the traditional way, teach them the skills of our profession, in house, and send them to technical college for the more academic disciplines."

Apprentice Corey Phillips adds, "I feel that my apprenticeship has given me the opportunity to map my own future, whether it be going on to university or taking over the family business. My future is now in my hands and I thank everyone involved for giving me the opportunity."

Best Accountancy Services is owned and run by husband and wife team Chris and Ann Jones.

Ann, who is also a Newton Abbot Town Councillor said, "Our apprentice, Josh, came to us through work experience at school. After doing his GCSE's he joined the team as our apprentice and hasn't looked back. We're delighted that he has just passed his college exams and is now qualified. He is now a valued member of our team!"

Richard Younger-Ross, Parliamentary spokesman for the Liberal Democrats added, "The increase in the number of apprenticeships is something we have pushed hard for in government. These success stories are really good news for local younger people and for our local businesses."

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Contact Richard Younger-Ross, 0778 593 1044