Nick Clegg spoke of the benefits of apprenticeships after visiting ambitious youngsters in Sutton this afternoon.

The Liberal Democrat leader was accompanied by the Carshalton and Wallington MP Tom Brake and council leader Ruth Dombey on the visit to recruitment agency TEC Group International in Stafford Road, Wallington.

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The aim of the visit was to highlight the value apprentices bring to businesses.

Mr Clegg said: “It’s been great – really nice to be here with Ruth and Tom – to see for myself what a local company like this does.

“It really helps me understand what opportunities there are for young people on apprenticeships – also seeing what a great benefit it is for a local company.

“[The apprentices] are full of ambition and optimism. There’s nothing worse at this time of life when you should be full of optimism but sending out hundreds of CVs and there is no-one looking out for you and giving you an answer.”

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Mr Clegg took a tour of the office chatting to the apprentices and asking them about their education.

He got to take part in a training session where the youngsters discussed how they dealt with clients.

Tec Group International recruits engineers and technical professionals for the energy industry. They run an apprenticeships scheme through which the company recruits the majority of their London-based staff.

Will Atkinson, 33, managing director of the company, said: “I have had a great day. I’m glad it has been about the apprentices and I think the experience has been nice for them to get recognised.”

The event was part of a Liberal Democrat campaign, A Million Jobs for a Stronger Economy, which is a major drive for apprenticeships.