CENTRAL Devon MP Mel Stride is aiming to give farm training and apprenticeships in West Devon a higher profile, following talks with representatives from the agriculture industry.

Mr Stride said he has held meetings with the National Farmers' Union and agricultural training centre Bicton College to see where the Government could help.

High on the agenda will be using the National Apprenticeship Service to encourage farmers and landowners to take on young people to learn about their businesses.

Mr Stride said: 'Apprenticeships and training are very important if we are to encourage young people to come into farming,

'I will be working closely with the NAS, the NFU and local agricultural colleges to make sure that we promote apprenticeships as strongly as possible.

'Next year I am aiming to ensure that agricultural apprenticeships play a higher profile role within national apprenticeship week.'

The NFU and Bicton, and other South West agricultural colleges, have pledged to take part in Apprenticeship Week in March 2013 to raise the profile of people considering a career in agriculture.

The drive to improve apprenticeships and training opportunities has partly come from farmers themselves who have told the NFU they do struggle to find young employees within Devon.

Mr Stride, who is Parliamentary Private Secretary to Skills Minister John Hayes, has made access to apprenticeships in Devon a key part of his role.

He said he saw training and experience as an important asset for young people looking for jobs in the county, but wanted to ensure as many employees as possible were offering opportunities.