A&P Tyne Welcomes Employment Minister Alison McGovern.

APCL Group was delighted to welcome Employment Minister Alison McGovern to its Tyne facility last week.

The Minister was accompanied by Kate Osbourne, Member of Parliament for Jarrow and Gateshead.

The Employment Minister undertook a tour of the facility and had the opportunity to meet many of the 50 apprentices currently in training at the site.

David Mc Ginley, CEO of APCL Group said: "We were delighted to welcome Alison McGovern MP, Employment Minister and Kate Osbourne MP for Jarrow and Gateshead East to APCL’s Tyne facility.

"The visit provided the opportunity to have good discourse with the employment minister and highlight our growing apprenticeship programme and demonstrate the importance of training to the UK economy and the future of UK shipbuilding.

"The visit also provided an opportunity to showcase our Tyneside facility and highlight the North East’s shipbuilding, fabrication and ship repair capability".

Alison McGovern MP added: "It was great to meet the apprentices, who are starting out on a great career, with a crucial set of skills to be gained along the way. Shipbuilding is not just a part of our past. Marine engineering is part of the UK’s future, and we should be proud of the hard work going in to making this growing area thrive."

A&P Tyne is a major centre for defence fabrication, delivering high profile projects for the defence and marine sector. Projects include delivering blocks for the new Queen Elizabeth-Class Aircraft Carriers, units for the future submarine class and the Royal Navy's Tyne 26 frigates.

A&P Tyne also operates the largest commercial dry dock on the East Coast.