It was a pleasure to welcome the MP for Berwick, Anne-Marie Trevelyan to Cramlington recently on a visit to Merit, an innovative construction company who are building England's first ever prefabricated hospital which will soon become the new Berwick Infirmary. The visit highlighted the exciting and world leading work that Merit are doing to create a hospital which will be transported 60 miles once finished and assembled on site. Tony Wells, the CEO of Merit explained the positive impact building hospitals in this way will have on the future of the NHS. With greater affordability, improved energy consumption and faster construction times for hospital newbuilds and reconstruction. I never cease to be amazed by what is happening on our doorstep with world leading businesses like Merit blazing a trail in innovation. Inspirational leaders like Tony are creating sustainable, well-paid jobs for local people and I will always do all I can to support them as their MP. I’m always proud to showcase these businesses as I did last year when Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee visited Merit to see what they are doing.
Great to see the fantastic Welding and Fabrication Technical Training Centre facility taking applications for its first group of students. I'm really proud of everything that the fantastic people are doing at the Port of Blyth and to have played my part in securing the funding for new Energy Central Learning Hub which is being built now and will stand next to the new Welding Centre. Businesses will be confident to invest in areas where there is a pipeline of well-trained enthusiastic people ready to take the new jobs they create.
On that same theme I welcome the decision to name Bede Academy the first educational partner at the new Energy Central Learning Hub, which is being delivered as part of the £70m Energising Blyth Programme. This will be the first opportunity for young people to take T Levels which will set them on the pathway to the latest skilled careers in the technology and engineering sectors. Two Engineering T Levels and a Digital T Level, developed with employers are available from this September at Bede Academy and will transfer to the new facility next year when it opens. There really are some great opportunities emerging in Blyth Valley for young people.
