SpotlightOn
Created to innovate Stevenage is home to businesses that are shaping the world - whether it’s researching new ways to treat and prevent diseases, sending a space vehicle to Mars or building a successful business. The town’s vibrant and diverse business community ranges from global leaders in space, defence and bioscience through to growing companies and innovative start-ups backed by an extensive business community. Vince Cable MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, recently joined UK Space Agency chief executive officer David Parker at the Airbus Defence and Space centre in Stevenage. Together they unveiled an extension of the company’s ‘Mars Yard’ – a 30m recreation of the red planet’s surface designed to test new technology for future space exploration. The minister said: “The technology being developed here, in Stevenage, is at the forefront of global innovation and can be applied to various sectors of our economy. “One of the battles that we’re fighting is demonstrating the importance of science and technology for the future. We are trying to excite the next generation to pursue careers in this field. “We’re massively under-supplied with science graduates so I think it is important to acknowledge the great work that is happening here.” Airbus, formerly known as Astrium, will use the site to test rovers for the planned 2018 mission to Mars working with the European Space Agency. Another feature of the business environment in Stevenage is its thriving support for apprentices. Daniella Distazio, who is a fourth year business apprentice with missile company MBDA in Stevenage, was named National Higher Apprentice of the Year 2014. Danielle said: “When I realised I had I won, I was overjoyed. To win the award, especially being up against such talented young apprentices, is fantastic. “I am grateful for the opportunities I have had on my apprentice scheme in order to get where I am and hope I can help inspire people to consider apprenticeships when thinking about their own career opportunities.”
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INSPIRE
The Mars Yard at the Airbus Defence and Space centre in Stevenage Altogether there were 22 finalists in competition across eight categories. Each of the winners was recognised for their talent, innovation, commitment and enthusiasm. Keith Garden, deputy managing director for MBDA, said: “What a fantastic result. When you look at the companies our apprentices were competing against, it reads like a roll call of some of the finest in British engineering and manufacturing. “We believe MBDA attracts and recruits the best of the talent out there and this win for Daniella is proof that we are doing just that. She has come on through on our business apprentice scheme and has been doing a fantastic job as part of our supply chain team but seeing her getting this national recognition for her individual effort is hugely satisfying for all of us at our Stevenage site. “I believe young women like Daniella are an inspiration for the home team back at MBDA and it also shows what you can achieve on an apprenticeship programme such as ours. ”
The Elephant sculpture which stands outside Stevenage Museum, Hertfordshire