More than 100 people attended a job fair held to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week.

Barnet and Southgate College held the fair for people aged 16 to 24 at its Wood Street campus in High Barnet yesterday.

Employers from industries including hospitality, health care and IT attended.

Current apprentices were present to talk to young people, among them hospitality apprentice Lerma Lagrio who works at Hospitality House in North Finchley while studying at the Southgate campus of the college.

The 19-year-old said: “I really enjoy being a hospitality supervision apprentice as you have the chance to train and earn money at the same time.

“I’d recommend an apprenticeship to any young person as you not only gain experience, you gain more knowledge and you’re gaining real life work experience while earning a wage at the same time.”

Barnet and Southgate College principal David Byrne said: “We are exceptionally proud of the fact that we are committed to apprenticeships at the college and to date we have placed nearly 2,500 young people with employers.

"The scheme is of huge benefit to employers, especially when many apprentices go onto permanent full-time positions, proving the overarching theme of National Apprenticeship Week, which is that apprenticeships really do deliver for both employers and the individual involved.”