The boss of a company planning to create thousands of new jobs in Northumberland has been explaining how he hopes high-paying jobs at a new gigafactory will go to local residents.
Britishvolt's plan to create a 3,000 job factory producing electric vehicle batteries near Blyth took a huge step forward yesterday when it was revealed multi-million-pound Government funding had helped attract £1.7bn from private investors.
Work is set to start on the site of Blyth Power Station's former coal yards at Cambois within the next two months.
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As well as the 3,000 jobs that are hoped will be created directly on the site, up to 5,000 more jobs could be created in the plant’s supply chain.
Britishvolt's executive chairman, Peter Rolton, appeared on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme on Friday following the visit of Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng on Thursday.
Mr Rolton moved to assure listeners that local people would get the high paying jobs associated with the factory. As well as 3,000 jobs at the site, it is anticipated that an additional 5,000 jobs could be created in the supply chain.
Asked how many jobs would go to residents of south east Northumberland, Mr Rolton said: "I would like to say all of them if we can do it.
"We gave a very strong commitment in achieving our planning with the support of Northumberland County Council in just four months. Part of the section 106 agreement is a commitment we willingly signed up to, to prioritise local employment within the area.
"We're very conscious of the fact that area does have employment issues."
Mr Rolton also explained that Britishvolt has set up a charitable arm called the Britishvolt Future Generation Foundation, and was in the process of purchasing a four story ex-department store in Ashington to act as a training centre to ensure local people have the appropriate skills needed to work at the factory.
He added: "In addition to the Government's levelling up, agenda, we're going to do our own levelling up.
"One of the local councillors said to me 75 per cent of young people, below the age of 25, leave the area because of a lack of prospects. I want to change that.
"The Royal Navy did that video - Born in Blyth, made in the Royal Navy - I want to make them do their recruitment somewhere else."
The first phase of the factory is expected to be complete in 2024. It will supply batteries for electric cars as well as public transport and commercial vehicles.
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