More than 70 apprentices from some of Britain’s leading aerospace, defence, security and space companies attended the ADS Parliamentary Reception in the House of Commons this week.
I joined the apprentices – including those from Fareham – to celebrate the 9,000 apprenticeships provided by the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space industries.
The event, organised by the trade organisation ADS Group, and sponsored by UTC Aerospace Systems, highlighted the valuable contribution apprentices are making to important, high-skill manufacturing industries, and the world-leading technologies that many of them are working to develop.
I was delighted to welcome apprentices such as Ben Stares who lives in Fareham and is an apprentice at Atmosphere Control in Portsmouth, to the House of Commons. It was great to meet so many young engineers working towards highly-skilled and rewarding careers. They are great ambassadors for the UK’s advanced manufacturing industries.
Paul Everitt, Chief Executive of ADS Group, said:
“Our high-skill sectors are reliant on a new generation of talented and well-trained employees. In return they look set to enjoy rewarding careers within some of the UK’s most successful and exciting industries. This reception is important to showcase the huge talent already working in our sectors and to encourage more young people to consider the opportunities on offer.”