Council leader backs drive to promote careers in engineering

Employment, infrastructure and transport links were just three of the topics discussed when Peter Chowney, leader of Hastings Borough Council, visited major town employer Marshall-Tufflex to meet staff and management as part of the company’s on-going drive to support the local community.

Councillor Chowney was given a tour of the Hastings-based cable management manufacturer followed by a question and answer session with its Joint Consultative Committee (JCC).

Marshall-Tufflex group personnel development manager, Steve Baldry, and members of the JCC discussed with Councillor Chowney how the company is engaging with schools and colleges in the area to promote engineering careers to students. Recently the business employed a number of engineering apprentices as part of an on-going programme to develop local talent and has also welcomed a number of schools, from primary to secondary, for factory tours.

“Councillor Chowney was very supportive of our initiative to broaden employment opportunities for young people in and around Hastings by promoting engineering and manufacturing careers,” said Baldry. “These discussions formed part of an interesting wider debate about the economic and social welfare of the Hastings area, with Councillor Chowney encouraging our employees to consider taking part in Police Panel meetings, engaging with their MP and with the local newspaper to raise awareness of issues affecting them. It was a very productive event.”