North Wales, Nov 12, 2015: A new partnership between academia and business has been launched to help develop specialist skills in North Wales.

Lockheed Martin UK has teamed up with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, which represents three colleges in North Wales, to encourage more young people to consider careers in the energy sector.

The Government wants to make the UK less reliant on imported energy supplies and one way to do that is to invest in more low carbon energy generation. However, the UK is facing a shortfall in the number of people with expertise in this industry who will be required to operate and manage such facilities.

That is why Lockheed Martin is teaming up with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai to help inspire more youngsters into the industry and provide them with the best education and training to succeed.

Lockheed Martin UK is the UK based arm of the global Lockheed Martin Corporation which designs and delivers integrated training and simulation technologies to organisations around the world. Using Lockheed Martin’s optimised, holistic training methodology, companies are able to improve performance, lower costs, reduce risk and add value.

The company plans to bring that expertise to North Wales, an area which already has a history of working in the low carbon energy sector. It is anticipated as the need for low carbon energy increases the need for trained and effective technicians will grow.

Stephen Ball, Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin UK said: “Our knowledge of the UK energy sector, our training expertise with military and commercial companies in the UK and our commitment to science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) means we are well placed to work closely with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai to help inspire the next generation of engineers and technicians.”

Dr Ian Rees, Principal of Coleg Menai and Grŵp lead on energy related developments said: “Grŵp Llandrillo Menai is delighted to be able to announce this relationship with Lockheed Martin. As a grŵp we are committed to developing training and skills for the developing low carbon energy economy on Anglesey. Lockheed Martin are specialists in their industry and have developed highly successful training programmes for industries. We look forward to providing highly effective and successful interactive training that will include the very latest technology right here in Llangefni.”

During a visit to North Wales today, Carwyn Jones, the First Minister for Wales met with representatives from the college and Lockheed Martin at Coleg Menai’s Energy Centre to find out more about the benefits that this partnership will bring to the local area and its economic prospects.

Carwyn Jones, First Minister for Wales, said: “We want Wales to be at the heart of the global green energy revolution. This new relationship between Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and Lockheed Martin is fantastic news for the College and Wales as a whole. I hope it will last long into the future, bringing benefits for the local community and the environment through the development of more sustainable and carbon neutral technologies.”

About Lockheed Martin UK

Lockheed Martin UK, headquartered in London, is the UK-based arm of Lockheed Martin, a global security and aerospace company. Lockheed Martin UK employs more than 3,000 people in the UK across 21 sites. Lockheed Martin is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. www.lockheedmartin.co.uk