Julie Minns, MP for Carlisle, visited Auto Windscreens’ Carlisle service centre on Wednesday 27 August to learn more about the company’s apprenticeship programme and its work in developing skills within the automotive industry.

Julie met with Regional Manager, Jeremy Hall, and Training and Development Manager, Scott Malone, before being given a tour of the site, speaking to technicians and hearing first-hand how apprentices are supported.

Jeremy Hall said:

“We were pleased to show Julie around our site, which will soon welcome one of our new apprentices, who will be mentored by Lewis Waugh, our Base Technician here. We have recruited 36 apprentices this year in locations all over the UK. Our team were proud to showcase their roles which have become highly technical due to ever-evolving vehicle safety features which are often mounted on windscreens.”

Julie Minns commented:

“It was great to meet the team at Auto Windscreens in Carlisle and hear about the work they’re doing to train the next generation of technicians. Apprenticeships are such an important way for young people to gain skills and build a career and it was inspiring to see the enthusiasm of staff here passing on their knowledge.”

Julie also highlighted the wider importance of apprenticeship opportunities:

“I’m really pleased that Carlisle is playing a part in a national effort to grow the workforce in this industry. More widely, I am working alongside my colleagues in Parliament to deliver on our manifesto promise of a Youth Guarantee, which is ensuring every young person aged 18 to 21 has access to training, an apprenticeship or support to find work. Opportunities like the ones I saw show just how important that commitment is for the future of our area and our country.”

Auto Windscreens remains committed to building skills and investing in the workforce of tomorrow.