The high profile British Conservative politician and journalist took the opportunity to visit the facilities at CEME and observe how the Ford apprenticeship scheme operates along with college students and local schools undertaking product design in the state of the art CEME design studios.

On his arrival Mr Johnson was greeted by CEME Chief Executive Bill Williams, who discussed the innovative work of the CEME centre with him and guided him on his tour of the facilities.

During the visit, Bill Williams commented: "This is a wonderful opportunity to brief the Mayor of London on the impressive work that CEME has achieved and our plans for the future. Mr Johnson was clearly interested in the Ford apprenticeship scheme and the work we do with local schoolchildren encouraging their interest in the exciting career opportunities in the engineering, manufacturing and technology sectors. Our support for local technology companies in the CEME Innovation Centre also interested the mayor, we hope through our efforts that the next Dyson is developed and nurtured here at CEME in London. Links to the Mayors East London Green Enterprise District were discussed, CEME's plans to deliver more low carbon engineering skills were of huge interest as were the CEME campus green credentials with CEME boasts one of the largest installations in the UK of Photovoltaic Cells."

He continued:  "It's fantastic to have such a ringing endorsement from the Mayor of London for our plans to develop a University Technical College (UTC) here at CEME. Mr Johnson could see the real benefit of building on the success of working with industry and academia that already take place on the CEME campus. Mr Johnson said it was absolutely right that a UTC for London should be developed here at CEME and he gave it his backing."

As part of the tour, Mr Johnson met Ford apprentices receiving training in the engineering workshops and also visited classes of school children from Lonsdowne Primary, in Tilbury and the Warren School, in Barking and Dagenham who were using the state-of-art design equipment in the CEME skills centre.  Whilst in the skills centre Mr Johnson was presented with a model 'Borris on a bike' that he graciously thanked the children and CEME for.

More than 2,000 primary and secondary school children from schools across London Thames Gateway have benefited from the impressive learning facilities at CEME.

The visit culminated in the business conference and events centre where Mr Johnson was guided around the impressively adaptable facilities including 'the box' and the high tech POD. After a short refreshment break Mr Johnson left the CEME centre.

Press release issued by Melinda Cooksey. For further details please contact on 01275 770703/ 07854 779415 or melinda.cooksey@publicitymatters.com

For more information on the CEME Centre please visit http://www.ceme.co.uk

If you would like to obtain alternate imagery please contact Melinda Cooksey on above details.