Lewisham College student Connor Holgate is the 1,000th apprentice to be signed up by The Skills People this year.

The bartender at Shepherd Neame’s Ye Olde Whyte Lyon in Kent has started a Level 2 hospitality apprenticeship with the College.

Connor said: “My ambition is to run my own pub. Being an apprentice will teach me the skills to help me realise my ambition.”

Mark Cook, vice principal for business development at The Skills People, said: “I am delighted that The Skills People have recruited their 1000th apprentice. Apprenticeships really do add value to a business, and I am sure the apprenticeship Connor is undertaking will be of tremendous benefit to Connor.”

Angela Barlow, the trainer at the pub, said: “Our apprentices are long-term prospects, people we expect to be here for a while. We are working quite closely with the BIIAB and this apprenticeship fits very well with the rest of our training structure.”