LIBERAL Democrat leader Nick Clegg received an education in the aspirations of apprentices when he visited South Devon College.

The Paignton-based college has just received an 'outstanding' rating from Ofsted, and its apprenticeship courses have also been praised.

Mr Clegg's visit included first-hand experiences of the automotive centre, construction section, innovation centre, on-site radio station and the kitchens.

The value of apprenticeships and the help needed by employers to take on and retain apprentices is an issue he has been campaigning on.

Mr Clegg said: "In the middle of a very bad recession, apprenticeships are so important. It gives people the chance to develop the skills they will need for the future.

"We must make sure apprenticeships aren't thrown on the scrapheap. We must create jobs now and push plans for a green economy for the future.

"We spend too much time putting all our eggs into the basket for university education, when we should be training people for jobs.

"The funding for colleges should be equal to that for universities. The work of colleges like this one is so important for the area they are in. People will develop skills that aid the community.

"If we're not careful, if we don't give young people the support they deserve, then the country will suffer. It's vital that colleges get the support they need."

Stephen Criddle, the college's deputy principal, told Mr Clegg about the 400 apprentices the college has.

He added: "It's good that Nick Clegg could find the time in his busy schedule to see the excellent teaching and learning at this college. It was very positive.

"We were able to suggest to him ways in which employers could take on apprentices and support them."

After his tour, during his visit to the Herald Express offices, Mr Clegg said how impressed he had been with the college.

"It's one of the best colleges I have visited," he said. "It wasn't just the facilities which were impressive but the fact they are really switched on with the type of courses they offer. They are really right at the forefront of the debate of the support needed for apprenticeships and how apprenticeships are dependent on the employers having the money and resources for them." said Mr Clegg.

"What keeps happening is that the Government says it is going to create apprenticeships, but they don't work unless employers have the means to employ them.

"I think we could do a lot more to alleviate the burden on employers here in South Devon and elsewhere, so they don't cut apprentices as the first step in cuts when the going gets tough.

"We are pressing the Government nationally on this and we had some really useful suggestions from the college on ways to do that."

If further education is not sufficiently supported, he warned that young people today could be the first generation who will not improve on their parents' prospects.