Emma marked National Apprenticeship Week and International Women’s Day by meeting apprentices at the Wolverhampton site of Collins Aerospace.

She was given a tour of the site, which employs over 1,300 people, by senior managers including Edward Dryden, Vice President of Collins Aerospace, and James Holland, General Manager of the Wolverhampton site.

Emma also visited the Junior Factory – a ‘factory within a factory’ for apprentices, recent graduates and those on industrial placements. The Junior Factory gives apprentices and graduate placement students an insight into how a large-scale manufacturing facility shop floor works, and gives them an opportunity to work on internal parts and fittings which are used across the site. Emma met with some of the 89 apprentices at the Wolverhampton site involved in the Junior Factory.

Following the tour, Emma said:

“It was really interesting to visit Collins Aerospace, to hear about the work they are doing in the aerospace sector, and to see the facilities on site. Collins is one of the biggest private sector employers in Wolverhampton, so I’d like to thank Edward and James for taking the time to show me the site.

“The Junior Factory is a really good idea and helps young people early in their careers to get direct experience of running a factory. Many of the apprentices at the site are from Wolverhampton, which is a result of the work they are doing to bring local young people into the workforce.

“This Friday is International Women’s Day and, as the manufacturing sector has traditionally struggled to attract a diverse workforce, it was great to hear about the work Collins are doing to bring more women into the workplace. Meeting with some of the young women in the Junior Factory, it is clear that this work is having an effect.”

ENDS