I began Friday with an early morning visit to Cammell Laird’s shipyard to meet with chief executive John Syvret. The news he reported to me was another positive reflection of both his leadership and the high performance and ability of all those who work there.
Turnover has increased tenfold since John began running the shipyard. Better still, the yard is now building ships. Most people thought that age had long since passed.
Two new ferries are currently under construction for Western Ferries, a Scottish ferry company. I hope more orders will soon follow.
John has also well placed the yard to capitalise on the government's green agenda. There is work being done for offshore wind farms as well as work for the UK nuclear power station new build programme.
Cammell Laird hopes to bid for key contracts on constructing the platforms around each of these giant sea-based constructions. The latest announcement from the government on green energy couldn’t be more favourable to the company’s prospects.
The yard is also increasing its intake of apprentices. This, overtime, will rebalance the age structure of shipbuilding and ship repair in our area.
It also sounds the right note for the work that is being put into Birkenhead’s first university technical college. John chairs this great venture which will aim to become a world class facility to develop home grown talent. Like Cammell Laird itself, the new college is on course to become a local institution that we can all be proud of.
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