Written - Defence Training Academy, St Athan

Earlier today, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that it is proceeding with Package 1, the main part of the Defence Training Review contract at St Athan. A copy of its written statement to Parliament today will be published on the House of Commons website tomorrow morning.  All being well, the MoD expect construction at the St Athan site to commence in 2009 with the aim to complete by 2013.

The jewel in the crown of the whole academy concept has always been and will always be the engineering and ICT (Communications and Information Systems) tri-service training centre.  This is what will now go ahead.  This will bring thousands of new jobs to Wales and thousands of trainees, bringing their spending power to the area to be taught all the key maintenance skills for all the equipment used by all three services - skills that will serve all those trainees just as well in civilian life after they leave the armed services.

I welcome this announcement which now paves the way for all partners to move forward quickly to deliver Package 1, taking account of the Welsh Assembly Government’s plans to develop an Aerospace Centre of Excellence in aircraft maintenance operations at St Athan.

The proposals will be able to take advantage of the skilled workforce in the area and will complement the Training Academy proposals on the St Athan site.  The continuance of the aerospace park is also essential to the future of VC10 at St Athan and to the retention of 350 skilled DARA jobs. An active airfield will also assist in efforts to bring other military and commercial investment to St Athan.

The level of interest from potential aerospace companies in St Athan remains strong. The aerospace park is therefore part of an overall Welsh Assembly Government aerospace strategy in support of one of the key business sectors.

For the time being, Package 2 will be progressing on a slower track. We have always known that the affordability issues on Package 2 were more challenging and this was made clear by the MoD when the preferred bidder announcement was made earlier this year. The work to bridge that gap continues to pose significant challenges. The MoD is continuing to explore a range of options for Package 2.  These options vary from adaptations to Metrix’ original proposals through to a full conventional procurement.

While we remain quietly hopeful that the smaller second package will eventually come to St Athan as well, the important thing is to get the main part of the scheme off the ground, as announced by the Ministry of Defence this morning.

The Assembly Government is continuing to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of the Defence Training Academy at St Athan and that Wales takes full advantage of the wider opportunities presented by a project of this huge scale.  

The Ministerial Steering Group I have established and chaired by the Deputy First Minister will ensure a joined up Team Wales approach to delivery of this project. It will meet in November to review progress.