Apprentice Winner Tim Campbell MBE has warned that reality TV does not lead to instant success, but he told IBTimes UK that young people in Britain could get to the top through apprenticeships.

The Ambassador for Training and Enterprise in London claimed that companies cannot just rely on university graduates and must find different ways to attract talent into businesses.

"A structured training programme, where you can be developed and earn while you learn, is what an apprenticeship offers," the businessman said.

"It's incredibly attractive to people who make a conscious choice to not go to university."

Campbell, who is best known for his role on BBC show The Apprentice, also said: "We have to be careful that reality TV almost has a perception that you can become successful in 12 weeks – the reality is that you can't.

"But within 12 weeks we can train you how to run a business within the hospitality industry, which could be a platform for a career going forward."

Campbell's comments follow The Mayor of London Boris Johnson unveiling plans to create 7,000 new apprenticeship positions in the catering industry in the capital.

The British Hospitality Association has pledged to create the new roles in the city by the end of 2016.

The announcement comes at the start of this year's National Apprenticeship Week, which runs from the 3 to 7 March 2014.