THE role of apprentices at a Bury telecommunications firm was praised during a visit from a top politician.

Chuka Umunna, Labour’s shadow business minister, visited Pennine Telecom in Salford Street and met 10 apprentices benefiting from on-the-job training.

Mr Umunna met 22-year-old Adam Tobin, a former student at Tottington High School, who has just completed a six-year apprenticeship arranged through Bury College, and has now gained a job at Pennine.

Mr Umunna, who visited with Cllr James Frith, the party’s candidate for Bury North at next year’s General Election, said: “It is fantastic to see businesses like Pennine supporting and promoting quality apprenticeships and helping young people get a foot on the ladder.”

Andrew Roberts, Pennine’s managing director, has experienced the benefits of apprenticeships first-hand.

He said: “My fellow director Geoff King and our operations manager Xavier Senelle all graduated from apprenticeships, so we know full well their power for personal development and the contribution they have made to our successful and growing business.”