GRADUATES at defence technology company QinetiQ shared their experiences and aspirations as part of a national campaign.

Former Defence Minister and current MP for Mid Worcestershire, Sir Peter Luff, met a number of the firm's most recent graduate recruits to talk about the promotion of science, technology, engineering and maths at their site off St Andrew's Road, Malvern.

QinetiQ is the leading member of The 5% Club, an initiative with the goal of ensuring five per cent of companies’ workforces are apprentices, graduates or sponsored students on structured programmes within the next five years.

Sir Luff said: "QinetiQ is a company that makes a crucial contribution to the Worcestershire economy, develops world leading technology and plays a vital part in protecting our national security.

"I have visited many of QinetiQ's sites around the country and I always leave inspired by what they do, especially here at Malvern."

He added: “Creating opportunities for young people is not only good for business and good for young people but also good the future competitiveness of the country and sustaining growth.

"I welcome QinetiQ’s commitment to report on the numbers of graduate trainees and apprentices in its employee base, with the goal of getting to five per cent by March 2015. I would encourage all employers to look at joining The 5% Club.”

Sir Luff was also shown a number of key projects at QinetiQ.