David Cameron and Prince Andrew visit new Ilford Crossrail academy

Apprentices looking to kick-start a career in construction have been visited by Prime Minister David Cameron and Prince Andrew.

As part of National Apprenticeship Week, both men separately visited Crossrail’s new �13million Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy (TUCA), in Lugg Approach, Ilford.

Jeremiah White, 21, of Ilford, was one of the apprentices in attendance and had been unemployed for six months before he was trained at the new Crossrail academy.

Now working for Crossrail at their manufacturing facility in west London, Jeremiah said: “It was really hard going. I was sending out loads of CVs and it was really getting me down.

“I now have something to get out of bed for in the morning.”

Prime minister Mr Cameron said during his visit to the academy on Tuesday: “I think we are seeing a really big part of the industrial future of Britain.”