Jack Lopresti Update Aug/Sept 2023 edition
August 5th, 2023This month I have focused on 3 issues in our area, our national defence and defence industries, jobs and access to health services.
I was recently part of a roundtable discussion at the National Composites Centre with multiple employers including MBDA, Leonardo, GKN, BAE Systems, Rolls Royce and Babcock. We discussed multiple issues relating to the work the NCC do to support the defence industry in our area and enhance the technology base in our area. The NCC is part of the catapult network, designed to massively progress regional technology investment, encourage cooperation between companies and promote high-value manufacturing in the UK economy to help give British manufacturing a competitive advantage. In the discussion I emphasised the importance of educational engagement by STEM-field companies and the necessity to get young people engaged in science and engineering so that we can maintain excellence in manufacturing and produce the next generation of scientists and engineers.
I was also able to visit Babcock (photo below)and meet with Chief Technology Officer Dr Richard Drake, where I had an interesting discussion about their innovative projects. It was great to see such cutting-edge technology being developed right here in our area such as the Skynet satellite programme. We also discussed the importance of the recent AUKUS agreement. In parliament I also got to meet with apprentices from major Filton employers Airbus and Rolls-Royce to hear about their progress and their future career plans.
Access to health services is one of the most important issues for our area I recently visited Paula and Andy at Almondsbury Surgery to discuss primary healthcare provision. We also talked about their new access model, being introduced in July, which will enable greater access to clinical professionals at the practice through an online system. I also had the opportunity to have a very informative meeting with Maria Kane, CEO of North Bristol NHS Trust at Southmead Hospital. We discussed the improvements made to cancer care by the trust, as well as domiciliary care and their impressive apprenticeship program with several hundred apprentices currently at the trust. I also heard about the exciting proposals for a new elective care centre with 4 theatres which will be a major boost to their operation.
At the SGS College Employer Conference this month (photo), it was good to see so many local employers. Very interesting to hear presentations from Principal Sara-Jane and Matt and Chloe from Business West discussing business engagement, and skills development in our area as well as how the college can further develop their relationship with business and provide the skills required by employers in our area. I also visited the Engineering Centre at Abbeywood School to discuss the new University Technical College sleeve concept being introduced with representatives of Olympus Trust, UT Colleges, The Baker Dearing Educational Trust and several employers in our area. The UTC sleeve concept involves an advanced engineering facility located within a wider school framework. This should provide not only Abbeywood students, but students from across the Olympus Academy Trust with the ability to gain practical experience of engineering, and technical education in a first-class environment, it is very encouraging that local students will have access to such a high-quality resource.
Lastly, I should like to quash certain rumours that have been circulated during the recent local elections that I am not local. I was born in Southmead Hospital, and have lived and worked in the Bristol and South Gloucestershire area all my life. I have resided in this constituency since 2006, having lived in Filton, Frenchay and Bradley Stoke. I currently live near Almondsbury.
As always, should you need my help with anything, my office is open from Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm. Please telephone me on 01454 617783 or email me at: [email protected] if I can be of assistance or to book a surgery.
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