NEW ‘Northern Powerhouse’ minister Jake Berry yesterday spent a special training day at BAE Systems recently-opened Skills Academy at Samlesbury.

The Rossendale and Darwen MP met apprentices and bosses on a tour of the the £15.6million complex at the giant Military Air and Information Division site.

Mr Berry, promoted to junior ministerial office after June’ General Election visited a ‘virtual reality cave’, its manufacturing robotics laboratory and the’ Education Station’, which introduces primary school children to science, technology, engineering and maths.

He also saw a classroom with a life-size 3D simulator of a Typhoon jet, the teaching workshop and a Hawk Jet used for training.

While at the academy, opened in December, he met BAE Systems Military Air and Information managing director Chris Boardman, its manufacturing director Dave Holmes, and apprentices including 22-year-old army veteran Will Pool.

Mr Berry said: “The Northern Powerhouse is about economic growth and creating new jobs.

“As the largest employer in Lancashire, BAE Systems has a vital role to play and I saw their absolute commitment to nurturing the next generation of skilled engineers.

“This apprentice programme is truly world-class and, speaking to the young people that work there, it is clear that Lancashire’s status as a hub for innovation is in good hands.

“As a Lancastrian, it gives me great pride to say that the county is playing an important part in the Northern Powerhouse.”

Mr Pool said: “The facilities which we have had access to in the new Academy have prepared us for life in the business, and now we are looking forward to getting started on our first placements in the business.

“Having equipment like a virtual reality cave and manufacturing robotics to learn on has been fantastic.

“When the next group of apprentices start with the business in September, they will benefit hugely from having access to this type of equipment.”

Mr Berry was on a visit to Lancashire, which started in Blackpool yesterday morning to celebrate Tourism in the Northern Powerhouse as part of a tour of the North.

He is meeting local business and leaders and setting out his vision for the Northern Powerhouse.

Later this week he will visit Liverpool. Yesterday he visited Cheshire and Warrington. The tour continues next week.