MAN DIESEL SHOWCASES GROUND-BREAKING TRAINING ACADEMY

4.59.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 20th Jul 2010

Mark at a special event for the opening of MAN Diesel's new training academy.

Earlier this month MAN Diesel hosted a celebration of its fantastic new training academy at the company's premises in Hazel Grove. Local MP Mark Hunter was a special guest at the event which was also attended by Stockport Mayor Hazel Lees and local councillors Mark Weldon, Wendy Orrell and Ben Alexander.

Having taken over the famous Mirlees company many years ago, MAN Diesel now employs over 120 staff locally and turns over more than £70m each year at its Hazel Grove base. The company, which produces diesel engines, has connections with the Hazel Grove area dating back over 100 years.

The new training facility is a £9m investment which will help local school leavers and graduates searching for employment. MAN Diesel, working with the Stockport Economic Alliance and Stockport College, have been looking at ways in which companies can work together to boost the local economy.

Commenting, Mark said:

"I was delighted to be invited as a special guest at this important event which marks a new chapter in the company's history. Engineering skills have always been important to our area and it is great to see this exciting new development, backed by multi-million pound investment finally opened.

"MAN Diesel have provided a welcome boost in employment across Stockport, and their new state of the art training facility will be critical in helping young people to develop expertise in the engineering industry."