Seetec's The Skills Place - Newham are used to welcoming many visits to their Stratford based training and employment centre but a VIP visit from David Cameron gave the Seetec customers and staff the opportunity to discuss their achievements at the highest level.

The PM spent time meeting many customers attending the specialist training and employment centre which is not only supporting the opening of Westfield Stratford City in September, but offers ongoing training for retailers once trading commences.

Some of the hundreds that have already found work through The Skills Place - Newham were able to meet the PM to discuss how the pre employment training had enabled them to start a new career within Westfield, many of which have been unemployed for sometime.

The Prime Minister discusses vocational training with Seetec customers.

Andrew Emerson, Seetec’s Operations Directors met with David Cameron said; “It was a great opportunity to demonstrate the excellent work we have been doing here. We have developed some excellent partnerships with many retailers offering bespoke services for their new stores within Westfield Stratford City. It was great that some of the people we have been able to help had the chance to meet with the PM to talk about their stories. The programme is going from strength to strength and is offering many local people a gateway to sustainable employment”

One of the employers currently benefiting from this unique training and employment programme is Wagamama, Chris Raaff, Wagamama Recruitment Manager said;

 “Meeting with the PM was a great opportunity to discuss the opening of our new restaurant in Westfield Stratford City set for 13th September. Working in partnership with The Skills Place - Newham has allowed us to meet a wide range of potential employees from the local community. We are really pleased with the calibre of people we are interviewing and are looking forward to serving delicious noodles + rice dishes in this fantastic new location.”

A National Skills Academy for Retail member, The Skills Place - Newham is a partnership between Seetec, the London Borough of Newham and Westfield. The state of the art, 8,000sqft skills centre will be at the heart of the Westfield shopping centre itself, providing employer’s with employees and new employment opportunities to thousands, many of whom will be local residents.

The PM thought it was one of the "most interesting" visits he has been on and he thoroughly enjoyed the chance to meet the people that are benefiting from the centre.

The Prime Minister views a vocational training session in progress.

The Prime Minister discussing employment with customers who have found work at Westfield Stratford City.