Falmouth’s MP learnt to cut her cloth last week when she was showed the ropes by a Penryn sail-making apprentice.

MP Sarah Newton met teenager Josh Blakeston who is learning his trade with SKB Sails.

The 17-year-old recently joined the sail-makers and said: “It’s a steep learning curve, but I’m really enjoying it.

“I always wanted to work in the marine sector, especially as my granddad, uncle and dad are all boat-builders.”

He admitted that if this opportunity had not come up he would just be “bumming about” and added: “The majority of my mates are at college just for something to do as there aren’t many jobs around.

“I’m very grateful for this chance. I’m making friends and learning on the job from people with a lot of experience.”

Josh is one of many young people considering apprenticeships through Cornwall Marine Network’s Cornwall Apprenticeship Agency (CAA).

The CAA recently won full Apprenticeship Training Agency status and has been awarded £630,000 of funding from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) to help it create hundreds of apprenticeships across Cornwall.

Mrs Newton said: “This is fantastic news for businesses looking to grow and for young people. It gives the message to school leavers that you do not have to go outside Cornwall to find jobs.

“There are brilliant opportunities on our doorstep, with a wide range of high quality apprenticeships that are packaged with great training opportunities.

“Marine industry employers in Truro and Falmouth have a great record of providing high quality apprenticeships, which have given many local people the skills they need to build successful careers - the newly formed Cornwall Apprenticeship Agency will help to build on this success.”

For more information visit cornwallapprenticeshipagency.co.uk or call 01326 314904.