Emma has welcomed apprentices from Wolverhampton to the House of Commons to celebrate the 10,400 apprenticeships provided by the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space industries.

They were amongst more than 80 apprentices from some of Britain’s leading aerospace, defence, security and space companies who attended the ADS Parliamentary Reception.

Organised by the trade organisation ADS Group, and sponsored by UTC Aerospace Systems, the event recognised the valuable contribution apprentices make to our important, high-skill manufacturing industries, and highlighted the world-leading technologies that many of the apprentices are working to develop.

Emma said: “I was delighted to welcome apprentices from Wolverhampton to Parliament. The reception was an excellent opportunity to meet local young people who are working towards highly-skilled and rewarding careers. I was also pleased to see the huge talent of our local apprentices and to celebrate their contribution to the aerospace, defence and space sectors. These apprentices are great ambassadors for Wolverhampton and the UK’s advanced manufacturing industries. I want to thank UTC for their commitment to providing excellent apprenticeship schemes in our city.”

Paul Everitt, Chief Executive of ADS Group, said: “Companies in the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space industries offer high quality apprenticeships and provide young people with routes into high value, long term jobs. Many of the apprentices at this week’s reception will be the industry leaders of tomorrow and it is great for them to see the political support for our industries and their future prosperity.”