This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Clyde Shipyards Taskforce
07/12/2001
The special Taskforce set up to map the long-term future for Clyde Shipbuilding today held its last scheduled meeting.
The Clyde Shipwards Taskforce was established by Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning, Wendy Alexander and has succeeded in halving the number of planned job losses announced by BAE SYSTEMS in July.
Co-chaired by Ms Alexander and Ministers of State, George Foulkes at Scotland Office and Brian Wilson at DTI, it included representatives from the company, the Govan and Scotstoun trade unions and Scottish Enterprise Glasgow. It has reduced the original number of compulsory redundancies by 550.
A report will be published early in the New Year and the group has agreed to reconvene twice in 2002 to monitor progress.
BAE SYSTEMS has also announced major investment in the two yards to put the Clyde at the heart of the company's Marine strategy. The main elements of this strategy include:
- The three yards of Govan, Scotstoun and Barrow managed as one business with two Clyde based centres of excellence
- Govan as a steelwork centre of excellence
- Scotstoun will be the centre of excellence for design, manufacturing and outfitting
- Export warships and the first Type 45 destroyers to be designed and built at Scotstoun
Speaking following the meeting, Ms Alexander said;
"Members of the taskforce have focused firmly on the future of shipbuilding on the Clyde. Working together the group has set the framework to re-establish Clydebuilt as an internationally recognised hallmark in shipbuilding.
"Through their commitment and co-operation, task force members have been able to bring forward steel cutting on the MoD contract for two new landing vessels. Steel cutting will begin in December, bridging the gap in the company's workplan and staving off redundancies.
"BAE Systems have confirmed there will be no compulsory redundancies before Christmas and have reduced the number of job losses by 550. And new skills are being learned through the company's investment in the Executive's Modern Apprenticeship programme. Currently 162 under-25 MAs are in training.
"Valuable skills will not be lost. A skills audit has been undertaken at both yards and work is now being completed to identify all the skills that will be necessary to complete the new orders and build a shipbuilding centre of excellence on the Clyde.
"BAE SYSTEMS are actively promoting the culture of success through study, essential to establishing Scotland as a leader in the knowledge driven global marine industry. Equally our priority has been to ensure that those workers leaving the yards have all the support necessary to quickly move into new jobs. BAE SYSTEMS Marine has refurbished property to provide Employee Support Centres offering advice on careers, training and further education.
"The taskforce will be proactive in finding new jobs with other employers, both in the Glasgow area and further afield. Talks have already taken place with employers in industries where the valuable skills of Govan and Scotstoun workers can create new opportunities. A major Job fair will be held early in the New Year."
George Foulkes welcomed the contribution of all key stakeholders who participated in the work of the taskforce.
He said:
"We have come a long way since the bitter sweet announcement of 6 Type 45 destroyers and approximately 1000 redundancies. Thanks to the tireless work of the Task Force and the partnership of the unions, BAE SYSTEMS, The Government, the Executive and other key agencies, the need for compulsory redundancies has been reduced by more than half.
"The Government has delivered a substantial programme of work for Scotstoun and Govan: both yards will share in a significant amount of work on the Type 45 programme, with design work ongoing at Scotstoun; and the recent contract for two Alternative Landing Ship Logistics which I was particularly pleased to sign for, alongside Simon Kirby of BAE SYSTEMS Marine.
"The commitment does not end there. I will continue to make the case for Clydeside in export markets, where valuable Government support is delivered by the Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO).
"We now have a platform both in terms of contract and commitment from which we can look forward to and build a secure, successful and prosperous shipbuilding community on the Clyde."