Felipe Alviar Baquero, star of the BBC series The Apprentice, visited Harlow College at the invitation of Harlow MP Robert Halfon to talk to our apprentices.

While touring the Construction area Felipe chatted to individual students about their experience of doing an apprenticeship and saw first-hand the quality of the work they were producing. He joked that they should negotiate a pay rise with their employer if they did particularly well in their studies and work experience!

Felipe then went on to do a Q&A session with apprentices and staff from various areas of the College. Laura McKay, an apprentice in the Finance department at Harlow College, when asked by Felipe what made her choose the apprenticeship route, replied: "I went to university, but I didn't like it and it just wasn't for me. I realised that I wanted to be in a work environment where I could learn skills while also earning some money and getting relevant qualifications".

One piece of advice Felipe had for our apprentices was: "Whatever you're doing, always tell people about the added value you provide. No matter what your role is there are always additional skills that you can contribute to the role and be recognised for. Don't just work to the job description – you've got so much more to offer than that!".

Harlow MP Robert Halfon has been at the forefront of the drive for more apprenticeships, having employed several local young people to work for him both in the constituency and in Parliament.

For more information about apprenticeships at Harlow College call 01279 867469 or email