THE Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills has praised the work of a Brierley Hill-based security training firm.

Nick Boles MP was in the town last week promoting the work of Mercury Training Services, which provides security systems apprenticeship programs.

The company has supplied training to some of the country’s best known tourist attractions including The Natural History Museum, Science Museum and National Railway Museum, as well as Nottingham, Sheffield and Birmingham City Councils.

As part of the training, apprentices go to Mercury’s office one week each month to study and work on the practical application of installing security software.

Due to the growth in apprenticeships throughout the past few years, Mercury has had to move to its new, larger premises at the Glass Centre in Moor Street.

Mr Boles was invited on a tour of the security firm by Conservative parliamentary candidate for Dudley South, Mike Wood.

The minister said: “I want to thank Mike Wood for taking me to Mercury Training Services which is doing excellent work helping young people acquire the skills they need for a career in the security industry.

“It's because of companies like Mercury that the UK has managed to create two million new jobs since 2010, more than all of the rest of the European Union combined.”

Mr Wood said: “I wanted the Minister to see the exceptional standard of training and apprenticeships provided by Mercury Training Systems, which offer people a fantastic opportunity to build successful careers.

“Nearly 4,000 apprenticeships have been created in Dudley South since the last election, giving local people a chance to gain the right skills for the new jobs that are being created.”