The Hertsmere MP, Oliver Dowden, said he owes a ‘debt of gratitude’ to his former school Parmiter’s for the excellent comprehensive education he received.

Mr Dowden MP made the remarks in a note read out to more than 100 employers, training providers, authority leaders and representatives from the University of Hertfordshire and business support services to celebrate skills provision in Hertfordshire.

It read: “Getting the best start in life with good skills is the first step to a great career. I know that I owe a debt of gratitude to my own school, Parmiter’s, just outside Watford.

“The excellent comprehensive education that I received there set me on the path to be able to do many interesting things in my life, not least serving as a Member of Parliament for Borehamwood.”

Mr Dowden MP sent the note after Parliamentary business meant he was unable to attend the dinner at Elstree Studios on Tuesday, July 14 to celebrate the end of the two-year Skills Support for the Workforce programme which delivered workplace learning. The event was funded through the Skills Support for the Workforce Programme which is managed by Exemplas, and was hosted by Hertfordshire Growth Hub and Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

As part of the celebrations videoclips were shown from eight companies which were successfully nominated for growing the skills base of their employees.

The eight successful nominated companies were:

• John O’Conner, Grounds Maintenance, Welwyn

• Cyber-Duck, Digital Agency, Elstree

• Toad Hall, Nursery Group, North Herts

• Masterson Holdings, Construction, Borehamwood

• Changes , Hairdresser, Hemel Hempstead

• Temag Pharma, Pharmaceuticals, Welwyn Garden City

• European Nursing Agency (ENA), Welwyn Garden City

• MBDA, Missile Systems, Stevenage