Keith Brown, MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities, visited Falkirk bus builder Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) today where he learned that the company had a record year in 2015 – boosting turnover to over £600m and extending its international reach with solid business wins in mainland Europe, Asia Pacific and North America.
Mr. Brown, a former Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning, was also delighted to learn that across its UK manufacturing sites ADL now has 80 young people involved in modern apprenticeships, many of whom are based at its principal manufacturing site in Falkirk.
Keith Brown, MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities, visited Falkirk bus builder Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) today where he learned that the company had a record year in 2015 – boosting turnover to over £600m and extending its international reach with solid business wins in mainland Europe, Asia Pacific and North America.
Mr. Brown, a former Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning, was also delighted to learn that across its UK manufacturing sites ADL now has 80 young people involved in modern apprenticeships, many of whom are based at its principal manufacturing site in Falkirk.
Welcoming the Minister, Peter McAllister, ADL’s Operations Director at the Falkirk facility, explained that trainees are involved in a rolling, four-year programme of modern apprenticeships that can see them go on to work in manufacturing, quality, engineering, logistics, product development or a wide variety of other functions.
Mr. McAllister said: “We are very aware that young people are the life-blood of the future and have been delighted with the support we receive consistently from the Scottish Government in order to pursue this business philosophy. As a company, we have extended our wings significantly in recent years with manufacturing operations and build alliances across the UK, in China, Malaysia, New Zealand and North America, all of which present exciting opportunities for young people interested in a career with limitless opportunities.”
Mr. Brown, whose visit to ADL coincided with Scottish Apprenticeship Week, commented:
“Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2016 is about showcasing the positive impact apprenticeships have on businesses and industry, and the value they bring to employers and to their own job prospects. The Scottish Government is committed to supporting young people towards jobs and apprenticeships, with an aim to have 30,000 new opportunities by 2020. Alexander Dennis Ltd are a clear example of the way in which industry is helping us achieve that vision while bringing benefits to their own business by investing in a skilled workforce for the future.
“The Scottish Government’s commitment to supporting bus services is clearly demonstrated by the roughly quarter of a billion pounds expended every year in Bus Service Operators Grant and the Concessionary Travel Scheme. A further £13 million has been awarded through the Scottish Green Bus Fund, helping the bus industry invest in the latest emission reducing technology. Across the five rounds so far, ADL have provided 165 buses and, in doing so, offering the apprentices we have met here today the opportunity to be involved in delivering a greener bus fleet for Scotland, as well as a vibrant exporting environment.”