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MP back in the classroom

Hexham MP Guy Opperman has given top marks to the engineering training academy set up by Northumberland’s largest manufacturing employer.

He officially opened Egger’s £4 million purpose-built engineering facility and training academy two years ago – and made a return visit this week to check on the progress of the company’s 23 apprentices and encourage other local youngsters to follow in their footsteps.

“I’m incredibly heartened by what I saw during my visit to the training academy, where I met a number of apprentices and trainers – as well as talking to some of the 29 other employees who started as apprentices and have gone on to full-time positions in the business,” he said.

“When the company’s owner Michael Egger and I jointly opened the academy, I remember how passionate he was about recruiting, training and developing local talent and then retaining them over the long term.

“Being a family-owned company, it is very much part of their ethos to invest not only in plant and equipment but also in their 700+ UK employees. I would urge teachers, teenagers and parents not to forget about the excellent career opportunities available in the many Northumberland businesses like Egger offering these apprentice training schemes.”

Pictured: MP Guy Opperman in the classroom with electrical engineer Darren Bannister and mechanical engineer Steve Walker – apprentice trainers at Egger

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by publicrelations consultancy.com .