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Airbus secures £1.4m government fund

South West-based aerospace firm, Airbus, is set to receive a £1.4m cash injection of Government funding.

Money from the Regional Growth Fund (RGF) will be pumped into skills and employment initiatives, with the hope of boosting apprenticeships and creating 200 new jobs at the company’s Bristol wing development site.

Along with £5m of private investment, Airbus will put the government money towards a training programme that addresses the skills needed to develop civil and military aircraft.

Business Minister Michael Fallon said: “This important project demonstrates the Regional Growth Fund in action. The money is boosting engineering skills and apprenticeships in an important and valuable industry – for the south west and UK as a whole.

“There is a global competition for talent, innovation and success and this will help Airbus in Bristol maintain its world-leading status.

“There are some fantastic businesses in the South West and I would encourage them to consider applying for Round 4 of the Regional Growth Fund which is now open. “

The final deadline for business applications to RGF is the 20th March, and companies were urged by the Business Minister to put themselves forward.

Mark Stewart, Airbus’ general manager and human resources director, said:“Today’s announcement is very welcome both for Airbus and for Filton which is a jewel in the crown of aviation engineering.

“It clearly underlines the importance of the Filton site and shows that along with other investments such as the £70 million Airbus Aerospace Park we are continuing to invest in both people and infrastructure to ensure we stay at the leading edge of aerospace technology and remain ahead of our competitors.”

Mr Fallon confirmed the RGF funding on a visit to Airbus on Thursday, before he went on to see engineering and aerospace firm, GKN.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said the tour would inform Government plans for the aerospace sector’s industrial strategy, due to be published in coming weeks.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .