Waveney MP Peter Aldous has praised a leading packaging company in Beccles for its commitment to business investment in Waveney and for increasing engineering opportunities for young people.

M&H Plastics announced last month that they will be taking on a further 12 apprentices in September to add to the 13 apprentices who have joined the company in the last four years.

Mr Aldous visited the factory in London Road on Friday to present Level two engineering certificates to the current apprentices and find out more about the company's expanded apprenticeship programme.

Mr Aldous said: 'This week is National Apprenticeship Week and I can't think of a better place to start than at M&H Plastics.

'They are making a huge investment in the future of the business and in young people.

'Over the last few years there has been an increase in apprenticeships across the country and in Waveney. In 2009 there were 540 apprentices in Waveney and projected figures for 2012/2013 are up to about 1,000. M&H are mirroring that trend and it is a great to see a business specialising in engineering passing those key skills on to the next generation.'

The event was also attended by representatives from local high school including the Sir John Leman High School in Beccles and Bungay High School along with Lowestoft College, Great Yarmouth College, Waveney District Council, Suffolk County Council and the head of employer accounts for the National Apprenticeship Service.

David Smith, production director of M&H Plastics, said: 'We have always employed young people but we are an ageing work force at M&H and we have now realised we need a blend of mature and younger workers to take the company forward.

'There is a big gap between young people leaving school and them coming into the industry but apprenticeships can definitely bridge that gap.'

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