APPRENTICES in the Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space sectors across the country - with many from East Lancashire - were welcomed to UK Parliament as part of ADS Group’s annual Apprentice Reception last week.

More than 100 apprentices joined in to celebrate the work of more than 19,000 high-value, young apprentices in the field.

The event proved an opportunity for parliamentarians to celebrate the successes of the sector, which despite the pandemic has seen the number of apprentices employed in Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space growing by over 5,000 in recent years.

One of the largest contingents of apprentices were those of BAE Systems, who have a significant presence in the Ribble Valley constituency, employing more than 3,000 people at their Samlesbury site alone.

Nigel Evans, MP for Ribble Valley, welcomed several apprentices from BAE based across Lancashire, including Samlesbury, as well as congratulating them for their success in achieving such sort after and important roles.

BAE have been at the forefront of investment into apprenticeships in the sector with record numbers of almost 2,500 already in training and plans to recruit 1,000 more this year.

BAE Samlesbury is focused on the next generation of air power and BAE will see well over 200 new apprentices joining this sector of the company alone.

Mr Evans said: “It is brilliant to see so many young apprentices joining the workforce and bringing such a positive contribution to UK engineering, manufacturing and design.

"It is becoming ever clearer that in order to maintain the UK’s world leading Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space sectors we must invest in the next generation which is why I was so pleased to be able to welcome so many new recruits here to the House of Commons.

“Recent events have shown us just how important it is that we are able to produce and manufacture for these sectors using a skilled and home-grown workforce and I am proud to represent one of the finest engineering sites in the UK in Samlesbury.”