Andrew Stephenson (MP and Business Minister) joined Dr Kieran Mullan (C&N PPC) and Cllr Janet Clowes in Crewe last week.
The Minister first visited the Crewe University Technical College where with the College Prinicipal, Bentley representatives and Cllr George Hayes, he was able to see first-hand the importance of technical study programmes to the future of local and national manufacturing industries.
Mr Stephenson then moved down to West Street to the Bombardier site which employs over 200 skilled workers. He was well aware of the importance of the site (having spent some time in their ‘sister works’ across the country the previous week), and highlighted that the railway industry was currently enjoying a period of rapid investment. The Rail Sector Deal that is currently being negotiated, is focused on how the Rail Industry can continue to develop further technologies to boost the industry both on national and international fronts.
Dr Mullan confirmed the importance of the works in terms of high-level skills and employment for the Crewe Area whilst Cllr Clowes noted the importance of the Apprenticeship Scheme currently being implemented across the works, matching developing skills to both current activity but also to developing technologies within the production lines.
For a site that first opened in 1840, the future remains very positive!
