A new agreement is set to increase aeronautical training at RAF Valley.

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and Babcock International Group (Babcock) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand specialist training for Babcock personnel at the base.

The partnership, which has been in place for ten years, will now include seven new specialised training programmes called Industrial Vocational Pathways (IVPs).

These IVPs will cover areas such as avionics maintenance, aeronautical mechanical maintenance, survival equipment maintenance, and weapons maintenance.

The training and assessment will be conducted by both Babcock and Grŵp Llandrillo Menai personnel.

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai already provides an aeronautical engineering programme apprenticeship for Babcock, which was established in 2016.

This programme has seen more than 70 apprentices take part, with the majority still working at RAF Valley or within the industry.

Around two-thirds of those trained have stayed with Babcock, with a number progressing to supervisory roles.

The new MoU will allow Grŵp Llandrillo Menai to offer a wider range of aeronautical training, with all of Babcock's employees at RAF Valley able to access additional specialist engineering and technical training.

At the MoU signing, Aled Jones-Griffiths, chief executive officer, and Gwenllian Roberts, executive director of commercial development from Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, were present, along with Chloe Barker, managing director of Babcock’s UK aviation business, Gez Currie from the RAF, and other industry representatives.

Ms Roberts said: "We’re very proud of the long relationship with Babcock that has enabled so many young people to develop careers that have started here at RAF Valley.

"I’m delighted to see our partnership going from strength to strength today.

"The MoU signals a very important new chapter where we’ll be delivering specialist aeronautical training for the first time.

"I’d like to sincerely thank all that have been involved in making the MoU today happen, and look forward to the journey ahead.

"This is a very important day for the economy of Ynys Môn and North Wales."

Ms Barker added: "Babcock’s long-term partnership with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai demonstrates the importance of collaboration between industry and education.

"The introduction of Industrial Vocational Pathways is a significant next step in expanding our specialist training offering to our employees at RAF Valley and shows our commitment to invest locally in our workforce."

This expansion of training provision is expected to deliver real benefits for Babcock personnel employed at the base.