The Apprentice Society and its membership card are being billed as a skills-based equivalent to the National Union of Students and its NUS Extra card.

Skills minister John Hayes MP launched the card at a reception at the House of Commons on Wednesday.

The reception was opened by Harlow MP, Robert Halfon, whose apprentice, Andy Huckle, is among the first to serve with an MP.

Mr Hayes said the apprentice card would tackle a perceived gap in prestige between academic and skills-based qualifications.

"When you cease to be an undergraduate, you have a chance to become a post-graduate. When you finish your apprenticeship, you're an ex-apprentice.

"I want to further that. Let's have a vocational route as rigorous, as robust, as recognised and as seductive as the path that Robert and I trod," he said.

Andy, who is studying with Harlow College said; "I was working with a small business in Harlow making aircraft labels. I saw Robert's advert for an apprentice in the local newspaper and thought I would go for it.

"I'd started A Levels, but I was 17 years old, just out of school, and I didn't have a lot of dedication or commitment. I preferred to have a job with a salary, but I didn't see any prospects in the job I was in. "I've always loved politics, but I'd never thought of working at the House of Commons.

Andy finishes his apprenticeship in one month's time when he sits the last of six exams in his bid to gain an NVQ level three qualification in business administration.

Halfon, who developed the Apprentice Society and card with the NUS, told guests at the House of Commons launch that one in four young people in Germany started an apprenticeship, compared to just one in ten in England.

"The biggest problem we have had in this country is that apprenticeships have not been seen as prestigious.

"If you go to university, it's seen as wonderful and you get your name in the local newspaper. If you start an apprenticeship, it's much harder. If we are going to get more apprentices, we have to change that culture. You change the culture by increasing the prestige," he said.

Harlow College is working with Mr Halfon on his quest for the MP's next apprentice, see the NAS website for more details.