Yard boss: Area must do more
Last updated 09:10, Friday, 29 August 2008
BAE is struggling to recruit enough workers to Barrow and Murray Easton feels the area could do more to help.
Despite filling 660 roles this year to give it 4,650 core workers, the yard needs hundreds more by the end of the year to deal with its four Astute-class submarines. Follow-on orders for three more boats are also expected.
BAE is scouring the country using agencies. It has also started to sub-contract out work, including steelwork for the fourth sub, to Harland and Wolff in Belfast.
Mr Easton says he wants to see better facilities in the area to help the recruitment process in Barrow.
He said the town lacked the right kind of housing provision to attract permanent workers and their families to the area.
“We need to recruit people but housing is a problem,” admitted Mr Easton.
In a letter in today’s Evening Mail, Mr Easton calls on parts of the area’s leisure sector, including restaurants, to raise standards.
He says: “We need to take a long hard look at our culture and service, amongst other things.”
He recently backed a call by a yard apprentice for better nightspots for the young.
• Click here to read Mr Easton's letter and tell us what you think
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