Ealing Council is celebrating National Apprenticeship Week with a special breakfast event to encourage businesses to recruit trainees.

The council is hosting the business event at Pitzhanger Manor, in Walpole Park, Mattock Lane, Ealing on Friday, 5 February. It is free to attend and will take place between 8-10am.

Places are limited. To book, email Vanita Nicholls nichollsv@ealing.gov.uk or call her on 020 8825 6234.

Councillor David Millican, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, said: "Our own scheme works extremely well and it’s proved very popular, other boroughs have even used us as examples of good practice ."

"Ealing Council apprentices work towards various qualifications as part of the two-year programme and I think it would be wonderful if local businesses could offer something similar."

"This event is an opportunity for businesses to network and build contacts and to find out how apprenticeship schemes can benefit their businesses. This will no doubt be a popular morning so be sure to book up soon."

Volunteer programme apprentice, Kyle Holness, 20, added: "The apprenticeship scheme is brilliant as it allows young people to gain work experience and qualifications with the added benefit of getting paid. My time at Ealing Council has been very beneficial thanks to the help of the dedicated apprenticeship team."

Ealing Council has its own successful apprenticeship scheme.