Broughton: Airbus praised for economic impact and apprenticeship schemes

The leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Darren Millar MS, has praised Airbus for its role in creating jobs, training apprentices, and driving economic growth in North Wales following a visit to the company’s Broughton site.

Mr Millar was joined by fellow Conservative MSs Samuel Kurtz, Sam Rowlands, and Mark Isherwood during the visit last Friday, where they learned about Airbus’ contributions to the Welsh economy and its investment in skills development.

Airbus’ impact in North Wales

During the visit, the group received an overview of Airbus’ operations in Wales, including its economic impact and the £2 billion investment the company has made in the region over the last two decades.

They toured the site’s manufacturing facilities, where wings for the A320 and A350 aircraft are produced, and visited the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), home to Airbus’ Wing of Tomorrow Programme.

Mr Millar highlighted Airbus’ long-standing role in the region, stating: “Airbus is the largest aeronautics and space company in Europe, and Broughton, with its 81-year aerospace legacy, is a global centre of excellence for wing manufacturing, benefitting from more than £2 billion in investment over the past decade.”

Apprenticeship opportunities

The visit coincided with Apprenticeship Week, and the delegation met apprentices working at the site. Mr Millar praised the company’s training schemes, saying: “The highly technical nature of the aerospace industry has created a huge demand for skilled and qualified specialists in the UK, and Airbus have carefully designed their apprenticeship programmes to give their apprentices valuable practical training while they complete their studies.

“We are very fortunate in North Wales to have these fantastic opportunities for our young people on our doorstep, and I encourage people who may be considering an apprenticeship to have a look at what Airbus has to offer.”

Mr Millar thanked Airbus staff for hosting the visit and providing insights into the company’s operations, adding that the experience helped highlight how businesses like Airbus can be best supported in Wales.