Cirencester-based The Apprenticeship Management Group came under the spotlight at a Parliamentary reception held at the House of Commons.

The new Home Secretary and former Secretary of Housing, Sajid Javid MP, was present to mark the 110th anniversary of the Builders Merchants Federation. The Apprentice Management Group has set up their apprenticeship programme - BMF Apprenticeships Plus.

Sajid Javid praised the builder's merchants industry for attracting apprentices into the sector to help solve the housing shortage. He welcomed the work of the BMF and its members in using the Apprenticeship Levy to create apprenticeship roles and opportunities for young people to enter the sector.

The BMF revealed that since the Apprenticeship Levy came into effect just a year ago, 74 builders merchants have so far used the BMF Apprenticeship Plus service and they anticipate a further 200 new apprenticeship roles by the end of this year.

John Newcomb, chief executive of the Builders Merchants Federation, said the numbers will continue growing quickly over the coming years and also pointed to Travis Perkins' recent announcement of plans to create 200 further apprentice roles in 2018 alone.

Apprenticeship Management director John Henry said: "We are incredibly proud of what we have created with the BMF. The levy is there to help those looking for employment, in employment and the employer. Used efficiently it can have real benefits to a host of companies as the BMF are showing."

The Home Secretary Sajid Javid said: "For over a century the Builders Merchants Federation has played a crucial role in supporting our construction industry to build the homes our country needs and training the next generation's workforce.

"I want to congratulate the BMF and its members for their long service and continued work offering young people the potential for a great career in the industry."