This June, I was incredibly proud to announce the opening of the Europe’s largest indoor drone testing facility at Panattoni Park. This world leading defence testing facility will create many jobs and training opportunities across Swindon, attracting yet more investment and jobs to our town. I was proud to welcome the Defence Secretary, Dan Jarvis’, to the opening during his first day on the job and thank him for his kind words and recognition that Swindon has grown to be recognised as a hub of excellence in the drone space in such a short period of time. I’ve always known the people of our town have limitless potential and incredible advanced manufacturing skills and am pleased to play my part in that being recognised and realised. I’m thankful for the many groups, companies and individuals who have believed in my vision, and I look forward to the further investment that this will encourage to come to Swindon.
Alongside this, I know how important it is that jobs and opportunities are available to all, not just those who may traditionally excel academically, that’s why I met with Jake Richards, Minister for Sentencing and Youth Justice, to discuss the Innov8 Academy. This Swindon programme, run by BEST, a local charity, and Swindon College, supports getting young people into education, employment and training (EET) after long periods of time being absent. I’m pleased that the programme I co-founded alongside BEST has seen 6 out of 7 graduates achieving to a level that they’ve now re-entered into Education, employment or training. Giving people a leg up and chance to achieve is what being in public service is all about and I’m incredibly proud of the young people who have worked tirelessly to improve their lives. It’s good that the government has started to look at these pilot programmes to recognise what does and doesn’t work so we can improve outcomes for young people across the country.