A WEEK of events highlighting apprenticeships is under way.

National Apprenticeship Week is taking place in a bid to raise awareness of learning on the job.

Teignbridge-based business Lorient Polyproducts Ltd helped launch the week when it welcomed Central Devon MP Mel Stride to its Heathfield Industrial Estate home.

The Conservative MP is private parliamentary secretary to John Hayes, Government minister for further education, skills and lifelong learning, with responsibility for apprenticeships.

Mr Stride was joined by Dr John Chudley the divisional apprenticeship director for National Apprenticeship Service in Southern England.

They met Lorient managing director Maria Simmonds and Liam Evans and Harrison Fewings, apprentices who started their training programmes with Exeter College last October.

Ms Simmonds said: "We believe supporting the apprenticeship initiative is the right choice for a company like ours, where skills are learned over many years and on-the-job training is at the heart of how we develop staff.

"Our two apprentices have been a great success, fitting in well with our teams and blending their work-based learning with their college studies.

"They're already making a positive contribution to our success. We will most certainly be considering further apprenticeships in the future."

National Apprenticeship Week is designed to celebrate apprenticeships and the impact they have on individuals and businesses.

The week is backed by organisations including employers, colleges and schools. More than 90 events are planned in the South West.

Shiphay Primary School in Torquay hosted a special information technology visit from other schools and Torbay Hospital is set to host a careers day.

South Devon College is also taking its apprenticeship message out and about with a series of roadshows.

The college is now offering apprenticeships in carpentry, professional chef, horticulture and hairdressing at the new training centre at the Red Rock Centre in Dawlish.

The team will be there Thursday, February 9, and Friday, February 10, from 10am until 2pm. Newton Abbot MP Anne Marie Morris will be visiting them.

Mobile teams are also in Newton Abbot town centre and Brunel Industrial Estate from 11am until 1pm on Thursday, February 9, and can be found next to Teignmouth's Carlton Theatre tomorrow from midday.

The college and the Dartington Hall Trust have added new professional chef apprenticeships to the business administration, customer service and human resource apprentices already at Dartington Hall.

Dr Chudley said: "Apprenticeships provide businesses with a significant return on investment by increasing productivity and introducing fresh new talent and innovation.

"They are also a sound stepping stone for individuals to build successful careers."