MP carries out 'work experience' at Gloucestershire firm
25/07/2012 The Forum of Private Business Limited (FPB)
Lobby group's Business Buddy scheme comes to TewkesburyMP Laurence Robertson visited a Tewkesbury business on Friday to carry out a 'work experience' placement.
Mr Robertson visited the town's Precision Engineering Pieces on Ashchurch Business Centre where he was given a tour of the site and even had a turn at working machinery for some of the firm's manufacturing processes.
He was visiting as part of the Forum of Private Business's 'Business Buddy' scheme, a project which puts politicians into work placements in their constituency for them to see firsthand the real contribution small firms make to the UK economy. The visits are also a chance for MPs to hear firsthand the issues faced by small firms because of the current economic climate.
Previous political placements elsewhere in the UK have included Business Secretary MP Vince Cable at a furniture manufacturer, Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham at a chemical factory, and Green Party leader Caroline Lucas, who took to the tills at a fruit and vegetable shop in Brighton. Cabinet Office Minister Oliver Letwin also visited a West Dorset pie shop.
Following the visit the company's MD, John Hawkins, said: "The visit went exceptionally well. Laurence spent the first part of his visit undertaking various tasks on a turret press, and also ran a production sheet of components.
"We then had a long chat about our concerns on current employment legislation and in particular, the problems it causes to small companies, both in human and financial resources.
"He seemed to understand the issues and said he would personally look into one or two issues that were raised. He seemed genuinely interested in the services we had to offer.
He added: "We can only hope that MP's use these visits to act in the future, on the issues that affect all small companies."
Laurence said: "I very much enjoyed my visit to Precision Engineering. The thing which struck me most strongly was the well managed way the company is run and the respect the employees have for the company and the management, as well as the pride they take in their work.
"We hear a lot about how this country has no manufacturing these days, but that isn't correct and this company is a very good example of how alive and well manufacturing is in this area in particular."
Spokesman for the Forum, Robert Downes, said: "Getting politicians and business owners talking is simply the best way to effect change for the good. There really is no substitute for a face-to-face get together like this.
"Hopefully now the management team at Precision and Lawrence have broken the ice they will keep in touch for a long time to come."
For further information, please visit: Â www.fpb.org
Print this articleShare article:
Process and Control Today are not responsible for the content of submitted or externally produced articles and images. Click here to email us about any errors or omissions contained within this article.