Prince's tribute to 'remarkable' business

1:40pm Thursday 21st February 2008

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PRINCE Charles paid tribute to a "remarkable" Burnley-based business which has helped give disadvantaged youngsters the chance of a future.

His Royal Highness was speaking as he opened a new workshop at engineering company BCW at Lancashire Digital Technology Centre, Burnley.

The Prince of Wales spent almost two hours touring the factory premises on Bancroft Road in the second of his appointments.

He was invited by business boss Alec Cassie to speak to employees who had been given the chance of a new job after participating in the Prince's Trust Charity.

Mr Cassie has had over 130 youngsters work at his company which makes parts for aeroplanes and motor vehicles as a result of his dedication to the scheme.

Speaking after his tour Prince Charles said: "What has been done by Alec Cassie is really remarkable in terms of a company trying to help young people.

"The recent years have not been at all kind.

"There have been all sorts of difficulties and challenges placed in Burnley's way.

"The town has so much in its favour. It has potential in terms of its inhabitants which we have seen something of this morning at BCW."

Mr Cassie began taking on youngsters from the Prince's Trust scheme as a result of his son Gordon's own work within the scheme.

Mr Cassie said: "Our company benefits from taking on these youngsters because by giving them a chance we instill a real sense of loyalty in them.

"Once they get on the boat they row on it. We often find we have a person that has come from prison and we give them the chance to have a stable job, a stable family life and get themselves a mortgage.

"We manage to retain about one out of eight people that we take on, but we want to improve that."

The Prince was taken on a tour of the factory and pressed a red button on an engraving machine that created a commemorative plaque of his visit.

He was given the plaque as a keepsake and later unveiled another plaque on the workshop floor.

He was shown various parts of machinery that were made on site including pieces for Aston Martins, Rolls Royces and the manipulator component for an aeroplane.

David Magnall, 31, of Padiham spoke to the Prince.

He said: "He was really interested in what we do here.

"He was very down to earth and he actually went out of his way to come and speak to the group I was in."

Ayaaz Darr, 16, from Hameldon College, was taking part in a youth leadership development programme.

He was at the centre to see the Prince.

He said: "I've only seen him on the TV before."

"We have been doing the course for six months and there are 15 of us from the local community.

"The course enables us to develop our skills so that we can take part in community projects of our own."

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