THE FOREIGN Secretary Philip Hammond heaped praise on to the Government’s apprenticeship programme on a visit to Thornbury lens firm Essilor.

He, along with prospective Conservative MP for Thornbury and Yate Luke Hall, met with two of Essilor’s apprentices and a long-serving member of staff following a tour of the site which employs about 400 people.

Mr Hammond was shown the inner workings of the site which is the UK headquarters for the international lens manufacturer.

“The future is high skills, high earnings,” Mr Hammond said. “There may be fewer jobs but they are higher skilled and higher paid.

“We have to focus on having the skills to compete with the rest of the world. Making apprenticeships more mainstream is a very good way in achieving this.

“We need more and more people with vocational skills but it is just one element of our Long Term Economic Plan.

“We have also made huge investments to help the economy in the West – most notably the electrification of The Great Western railway network.”

During the visit, Mr Hammond also met with Rachel Beddoes from The Castle School who explained the strong links that exists between the school and Essilor.

Speaking after the visit the foreign secretary added: "It was a pleasure to visit Essilor in Thornbury with the prospective MP, Luke Hall. As one of the biggest employers in South Gloucestershire, I was delighted to hear how the economic recovery has allowed Essilor to continue to employ more young apprentices.

"The Conservatives have pledged to create 3 million more apprenticeships over the next Parliament, but it is vital that Luke Hall wins in Thornbury and Yate to help secure a Conservative government that can deliver those career opportunities for young people.”

Luke Hall saidd: "I was delighted to welcome the Foreign Secretary to Thornbury. He has demonstrated how important this seat is in forming a Conservative majority government. This seat is vital in deciding whether David Cameron or Ed Miliband will be the next Prime Minister."

“We have got over 3,000 more apprenticeships in Thornbury and Yate this parliament and it’s important that this continues to increase.