Tivyside | Archive | 2002 | March | 26
From the Tivyside Advertiser, first published Tuesday 26th Mar 2002.
Sixty-two years of training are to be cut in their prime following the MoD's announcement that the apprentice training establishment at Aberporth is to be axed.
The establishment, rated as one of the most prestigious training grounds in Britain, has just two years to secure private funding. Failure to do so will result in:
ï The COMPLETE cessation of training; ï A SIGNIFICANT loss of jobs and a ï DEVASTATING blow to the local economy.
The announcement was made yesterday (Tuesday) when local MP Simon Thomas received a three-day old letter from Dr Lewis Moonie of the MoD. The letter, dated March 23, categorically confirmed the Ministry's decision to cease funding the QinetiQ training centres at both Aberporth and Boscombe Down.
Instructers at Aberporth knew nothing of the decision until they were contacted by the Tivy-Side yesterday afternoon. "I'm shocked and extremely disappointed," said Arlandwr Jones, manager of the engineering training facility. "We were absolutely unaware of this announcement and it's been a cruel blow for everyone concerned."
Meanwhile Simon Thomas MP has described the decision as 'devastating'. "The arguments to maintain the training ground have been dismissed in a paragraph with no hopes offered whatsoever," he said. "It's a devastating blow, not only for the apprentices but for the county as a whole. The government is just walking away and leaving the onus on the private sector."
This view was endorsed by Cllr Dai Lloyd-Evans, leader of Ceredigion County Council. "The future of Aberporth forms a crucial part of the strategic plan for Ceredigion," he said. "A great deal rests on its future and it's of fundamental importance that funding is found to maintain at least a part of the training facility in tact." Possible funding sources could include ELWa (Education Learning Wales) who are already in dicussions with the county council, and the WDA.
Thirty-nine apprentices are currently being trained at Aberporth and all will complete their courses by 2004. Their training costs currently stand at £600,000 per annum. The department employs five instructors and a number of staff who are indirectly involved with the Aberporth training programme.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008