Stormont Employment and Learning minister, Danny Kennedy, has visited Bombardier's new wing manufacturing and assembly factory in Belfast.

The Ulster Unionist Minister met with management at the company and was shown around the aircraft fuselage assembly facility, before being given a tour of the first phase of the new wing factory, which is being built as part of a major investment in the CSeries aircraft programme.

Bombardier in Belfast is responsible for the design, manufacture and integration of the advanced composite wings for the new CSeries aircraft. Production of the wings is due to get under way later this year.

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"My Department has, over a number of years, engaged with Bombardier on a range of skills and training initiatives, and in particular with the ApprenticeshipsNI programme. It is hugely encouraging to see that these skills will be put to use on important projects such as the CSeries aircraft and serves to underline the importance of workforce development to employers," the Minister said.

Bombardier has currently over 140 apprentices in training through ApprenticeshipsNI and is a key Training Supplier for the programme, which aims to provide participants with the opportunity to gain Level 2/3 apprenticeships through a combination of paid employment and 'off the job' training. Over 10,000 apprentices are currently in training throughout Northern Ireland.

The Minister continued: "The prevailing economic conditions have had a detrimental effect on our workforce, especially in terms of employment opportunities.

"Through programmes such as Apprenticeships, however, I can assure employers of my Department's full support in improving skills levels and reaping the rewards of increased competitiveness and business growth, whilst contributing to Northern Ireland's future prosperity."

(GK)