Stafford engineer Martin Latham – who holds a senior post in the West Midlands aerospace industry - has described the important role aeronautics plays in the UK and especially West Midlands engineering.

In a talk to the Stafford Constituency business club, organised by Jeremy and Stafford Borough Council leader Mike Heenan, he explained that the industry is worth £20 billion to the UK economy and employs 45,000 people in the Midlands alone.

Mr Latham, who himself started as an apprentice, stressed the importance of apprenticeships and urged young people to consider working in aeronautics.
With most new civil aircraft programmes having sufficient orders to keep them busy for many years to come, the industry provides good prospects for those willing to commit themselves.

Jeremy said afterwards: “Many of those who attended the meeting – including me - had not fully appreciated the contribution which this industry makes to our area. At least one member went away determined to see if his company could become more closely involved in supplying the industry.

“Mr Latham’s talk underlined the importance of apprenticeships in his industry and expressed the hope that more young people would consider them. A Conservative Government would create 100,000 additional apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeship training places every year.
“Mr Latham also very kindly offered to come and speak to secondary school students in Stafford about careers in the aeronautics industry and we will arrange meetings with schools and colleges who wish to host them.”