130 new jobs at MoD base

Up to 130 jobs are to be created at a Ministry of Defence site in Telford, it was announced today.The Army Base Repair Organisation at Donnington is aiming to fill the new posts by Christmas. The majority are for skilled workers.

It is a major turn-around in fortune for the base, which less than two years ago was threatened with closure and the loss of more than 600 jobs.

A spokesman for Abro said: "Up to 130 staff, a mixture of permanent and casual staff, will be recruited."

Union officials today welcomed the news, saying that it was a major boost for the people and economy of Telford.

In November 2005, a campaign was launched to save the repair workshops after the Government announced they would close in 2007.

Backed by the community, MPs and the Shropshire Star, the union fought to keep the jobs in Telford and stop them being hived off to the private sector.

In May the base was given a reprieve when the Government announced the creation of a new "super agency" to repair and maintain military hardware.

It involves the merger of Abro and the Defence Aviation Repair Agency from April next year.

Brett Davis, senior Amicus steward, said the reprieve had boosted the armed forces' confidence in the long-term future of Abro and, as a result, the base was getting more work.

He said: "The jobs are because of an increase in workload. There is more confidence we've got a future. With the uncertainty at the site, the Army appeared to be cautious about putting work in.

"It shows that the campaign was worthwhile and that the support of the community was essential."

He added: "We are hoping to get the majority of people in before Christmas."

Mr Davis said they wanted to stress that the roles would be permanent.

"We are concerned that people might think that it was a place that was shutting. The message that we want to give out is that we've got a longterm future."

Abro is holding a jobs fair on October 16 between 4pm and 8pm at Grays Hotel, Forgegate, in Telford Town Centre. Roles include vehicle electricians, engineers, assemblers, fork lift drivers and labourers.

By Lizzie Yates