NEW Bolton MP Chris Green is continuing to champion the cause of apprentices — by taking one on himself.

The Tory MP for Bolton West, who came to Power in May after ousting Labour’s Julie Hilling, has regularly talked about the important role that apprentices can play in the country’s economic recovery.

He has now revealed that he will be taking on an apprentice to work at his newly-established constituency office in Westhoughton.

Mr Green revealed the news following a visit to Horwich-based Alliance Learning, which is one of the largest apprenticeship providers in the UK.

Speaking after the visit, he said: “We are looking to take on an apprentice to work in my new constituency office, which is opposite Westhoughton Town Hall. The person we select will be working in an administrative role and supporting other staff in the office.

“I have always believed that apprentices can make a huge contribution and it is vitally important to give people that experience, which can often help them to launch a career or move onto other employment.”

In his summer budget, announced earlier this month, the Chancellor George Osborne announced that three million new apprenticeships will be created by 2020 — funded by a levy on large employers.

It was also announced, as part of the welfare bill, that young people aged between 18 and 21, who are on Universal Credit, will have to apply for an apprenticeship or traineeship or go on a work placement six months after the start of their claim.

Mr Green added: “The government knows that apprenticeships are vital for our economic future and locally they can play a very important role in the bringing forward of the Northern Powerhouse vision.

“It was great to come to Alliance Learning and see all the things being done to help both people looking to become apprentices and firms who want to take people on in these roles.”

Julie Robinson, chief executive of Alliance Learning said: "It is great that Chris Green continues to support Alliance Learning in raising the profile of Apprenticeships, it is now his third visit to our site on the loco works and he continues to see the benefit Apprenticeships have to the local community and businesses. "We will be celebrating 50 years of Apprenticeship training next year and have big plans to celebrate our continued success."