Minister of State for Business & Energy visits QinetiQ
Above: Leo Quinn (right), QinetiQ CEO, welcomes Business Minister the Rt Hon Michael Fallon MP to QinetiQ, Farnborough.
QinetiQ apprentices, from a range of disciplines including engineering, management, facilities and information systems, met with the Minister to discuss their roles and share their positive experiences of being an apprentice working on some highly specialised and innovative projects.
During the visit Mr Fallon was also shown a number of the company’s key businesses and innovative projects around the North Hampshire site. He witnessed how world leading British space technology is being used to support European Space Agency programmes and witnessed a demonstration from Optasense, world leaders in distributed acoustic sensing, who provide vital cost-saving information that helps protect and secure the world's critical assets. The MP was also given an overview of QinetiQ’s Training and Simulation Services business which helps customers achieve significant savings and increased performance through the enhanced use of military simulation training technologies.
Michael Fallon MP said: “Companies like QinetiQ play a vital role ensuring that our armed forces are well equipped, but the defence industry is vital to economic growth too – with well over 100,000 people employed and a turnover of £22 billion a year. It was fascinating to see first-hand how QinetiQ are using their cutting-edge research capabilities in the defence sector, to open up opportunities in new areas such as oil and gas and space. The company plays an important role in the Defence Growth Partnership which involves government and industry working together to boost British jobs, trade and growth. They are also setting a positive example when it comes to recruiting apprentices and graduates, giving talented young people the chance to thrive."
Leo Quinn, QinetiQ chief executive, said: “We were very pleased that some of our apprentices had the opportunity to meet the Business and Energy Minister. They are excellent examples of the strength of our expertise and our “People Who Know How”. During the visit we were delighted to be able to showcase our breadth of innovative business areas, as well as demonstrate how our company is built around the expertise of our people and that our young talent base plays a vital part in that.”
QinetiQ founded The 5% Club, a campaign to get the UK’s public and private companies to commit to raising the number of apprentices, sponsored students and graduates on formal programmes to 5% of their total workforce within the next five years. The aim of the campaign is to tackle both the chronic skills shortage and youth unemployment in Britain and help the country remain at the forefront of innovation.
