APPRENTICES trained by BAE Systems’ are being praised after boosting companies across the North West.

Following a year of training at the defence giant’s’ training school in Preston, 21 engineers and manufacturing apprentices have moved in to 12 companies throughout the region.

The apprentices started training as part of the Employee Ownership Pilot programme, set up to boost skills in supply chain companies and part-funded by the government. They have now joined the workplaces of their parent companies with a further ten apprentices now based at the training centre.

The company was given the backing of Prime Minister David Cameron who recently visited the Warton site.

Later this year, the second cohort will join the workforces of companies throughout the region with a third cohort due to start at the centre from this September.

Ben Farnsworth, a technical apprentice, is now working for Techni-Grind (Machining), a company based in Preston which provides precision machining for components used by aerospace firms across the globe including BAE Systems.

Dennis Boyle, shop floor manager at Techni-Grind, said: “Ben has brought skills to our business which have help to boost our productivity and efficiency.

“The training he has received on the BAE Systems apprenticeship scheme at the Preston Training Centre has been invaluable to Ben and our business and the support the company continues to offer us has been first-class. As a small business, we are not in a position to set up an apprenticeship scheme like the one BAE Systems has, so getting apprentices like Ben has been a real boost.”

Last month, Ben’s work was recognised when he was awarded an Outstanding Achievement Award by a First Year Apprentice at the regional finals of the Engineering Employers’ Federation Future Manufacturing Awards, while the team behind the Preston Training Centre was named Training Provider of the Year at the North West Aerospace Alliance New Talent Awards.

Andy Bloor, head of early careers for the company’s Military Air and Information (MAI) business, said: “We are proud of the contribution our apprentices make to our business and the training we offer gives our recruits the chance to learn from senior engineers and gain invaluable experience working on cutting edge products .”