MPs celebrate apprentices at House of Commons reception
- Members of Parliament representing constituencies from across the country joined more than 100 apprentices from 36 companies in the House of Commons.
- Annual ADS Reception celebrated the 12,000 apprentices employed across the aerospace, defence, security and space sectors.
More than 100 apprentices were welcomed to the ADS reception at the House of Commons on Tuesday to celebrate their work in the aerospace, defence, security and space sectors.
The apprentices were joined by more than 50 MPs from constituencies across the country including Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling to celebrate the importance of the 12,000 apprentices the industry provides.
At the reception, apprentices represented 36 different companies across 53 sites including major UK manufacturers such as MBDA, Rockwell Collins and Airbus, and SMEs such as Aeromet.
ADS Chief Executive Paul Everitt said:
“Apprentices have always been important to our industries and now more than ever this investment in the skills of our workforce is vital to keeping the UK competitive on the world stage.
“Seeing so many MPs visit our reception to show their appreciation of the work these fantastic apprentices do is encouraging, and shows they recognise the important role apprentices play as the future leaders of our industries.”
Organised by ADS and sponsored by United Technologies Aerospace Systems, the event recognises the valuable contribution apprentices make to the UK’s important, high-skill manufacturing industries; highlighting the world-leading technologies that many of the apprentices are working to develop.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said:
“The aerospace, defence, security and space sectors play an important role in the success of the UK economy but their potential could not be unlocked without the significant contributions made by apprentices.
“As these industries evolve with an ever greater emphasis on emerging technology, we need young people with the ingenuity and skills to lead the charge, which is why we have made 2018 the Year of Engineering.
“By working with partners such as ADS, we want to attract future apprentices from all backgrounds and show them the varied, creative and innovative careers they could have in engineering.”