Rolls-Royce offers jobs pledge to Far North
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ROLLS-Royce is committed to Caithness and has work in the Far North until 2030 and beyond.
That was the assurance given by the company to local MP John Thurso in the wake of fears about job losses at Vulcan following an announcement by the Ministry of Defence that it does not see a future for the site after 2015.
The Liberal Democrat MP said he met Rolls-Royce management and was assured its previously stated commitment to stay in Caithness beyond 2015 remains firm. The company also pointed out the site has “high-value work to 2030 and beyond”.
“In 2008, following the announcement by the last Government that new submarines would not require a shore-based core testing facility, I met with Rolls-Royce in London and Caithness to discuss the company’s intentions for the future,” said John Thurso.
He pointed out the following year the company committed to the principle of retaining its nuclear workforce in Caithness as it would play a critical role in its future plans.
“This was announced publicly and I commented at the time that this commitment from a world-leading engineering company to Caithness was a vital boost for regeneration,” he said.
Last week, following the MoD’s formal announcement regarding the current submarine programme, John Thurso visited Rolls-Royce at Vulcan.
“I was delighted to be informed that the company’s commitment to Caithness remains as strong as ever. I was also briefed on a number of new contracts and the company’s skills needs over the coming years. Clearly the details of these are in some instances commercial and confidential but the net effect is that Rolls-Royce will continue to need its skilled workforce at around existing levels beyond 2030,” continued the Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP.
“That confirms the previous briefings I have had and the assurances the company has given to the regeneration partnership. It is a major good news story for Caithness. Rolls-Royce is a world-class company. Its operation in the North, commitment to the area and continuing apprenticeship programme are key planks in our future and I welcome their support.”
John Hook, Rolls-Royce general manager at Vulcan, said: “Our current operations and future planning remain aligned to both the MoD submarine programme and our own nuclear business strategy.
“The future submarine programme environment is challenging and the recent MoD announcement confirming that the development of the Rolls-Royce PWR3 reactor will not require a full-scale prototype is very much in line with the business planning for Rolls-Royce and the MoD-run Vulcan site.
“We understand the existing long-term and developing programmes the MoD requires from us and that is where our effort and energy is deployed.”
Mr Hook said the company values the specialist skills of its workforce at Vulcan and is working to broaden its nuclear business to seek other potential opportunities in the civil nuclear market.
“Rolls-Royce management and trades unions representatives have a very coherent position in terms of this positive direction. In light of this our apprentice training programme – currently 16 – is buoyant and we continue to employ graduate trainees.
“We will continue to safely deliver our commitments both on and off site within the overall UK submarine programme. Our people are very aware of the context and overall business environment and together we see the change as a challenge and an opportunity.”
