Praise for Lancashire firm from government apprentice ambassador

Government apprenticeship ambassador Gordon Birtwistle praised the training and career prospects being given to young engineers at Fort Vale after being given a tour of the award-winning East Lancashire factory.

And he said he would be happy to be starting his working life again at Fort Vale, world leaders in the manufacture of valves and fittings for tanker transportation which recently won a fourth Queen’s Award for industry for their export success.

“I have been to Rolls Royce at Derby and their scheme is brilliant. I have been to Toyota and theirs is the same. But they are massive companies. For companies the size of Fort Vale, this is amazing.

“They make advanced products, which will not go out of date, and they are very innovative and their training process is fantastic, so be an apprentice here if you can. “If I was 17 that’s what I would be looking at doing.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Lancashire Business View

Latest news

1

Eric Wright Facilities Management strengthens leadership team Ryan Pearce, Eric Wright Facilities Management Managing Director; Drew Hird Eric Wright Facilities Management, Technical Director; Roger Lancaster Eric Wright Facilities Management, Commercial Director

Eric Wright Facilities Management strengthens leadership team

13 Jan 2026

2

More than 100 jobs on offer at Pleasure Beach Resort Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Pic by Gregg Wolstenholme

More than 100 jobs on offer at Pleasure Beach Resort

13 Jan 2026

3

Leyland Town Deal works continue Aerial view of Leyland

Leyland Town Deal works continue

13 Jan 2026

4

Eric Wright Group secures £30m NatWest funding to drive regional development

Eric Wright Group secures £30m NatWest funding to drive regional development

12 Jan 2026

5

Wright and Lord Solicitors celebrates 25 years of trusted legal support in the community Wright and Lord Solicitors

Wright and Lord Solicitors celebrates 25 years of trusted legal support in the community

12 Jan 2026

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
January / February 2026 - LBV Issue 126 Magazine Launch Event
Porsche Preston1200x630
Networking
22 Jan 2026

January / February 2026 - LBV Issue 126 Magazine Launch Event

Porsche Preston, Preston, PR2 1QJ

08:30 - 10:30

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Lancashire County Council – Meet the Buyer - January 2026 Webinar Event
LBV Hub Webinar
13 Jan 2026

Lancashire County Council – Meet the Buyer - January 2026 Webinar Event

10:00 - 12:00

Preston Tech Connection: Tech For Better Humans
PTC January 26 banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
15 Jan 2026 - 15 Jan 2026

Preston Tech Connection: Tech For Better Humans

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Society1 Open Coworking Day
Open Day Square.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
15 Jan 2026 - 15 Jan 2026

Society1 Open Coworking Day

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

09:00 - 17:00

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire
LBV Header (28).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
15 Jan 2026 - 15 Jan 2026

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Lancashire County Council – Meet the Buyer Drop in Event
Meet the Buyer event new
LBV Hub Networking
20 Jan 2026

Lancashire County Council – Meet the Buyer Drop in Event

County Hall, Pitt Street, Preston , PR1 8XJ

10:00 - 15:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: January
January Freelancer Meet-Up Square .png.png
LBV Hub Networking
20 Jan 2026 - 20 Jan 2026

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: January

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 12:00

Employment Rights Act Update for Businesses: What Employers Need to Know for 2026
Employment Rights Act Update for Businesses.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
27 Jan 2026 - 27 Jan 2026

Employment Rights Act Update for Businesses: What Employers Need to Know for 2026

Online via Zoom, Preston, PR5 6AW

09:30 - 10:30

The Marketing Meetup: Lancashire (January)
LBV Hub Networking
27 Jan 2026

The Marketing Meetup: Lancashire (January)

Six Connections, Slater Terrace, Burnley, BB11 4SA

18:00 - 20:00

Tech without the turmoil: How Finance Leaders can drive smarter digital decisions
MHA-BTI Logo_black (002).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
05 Mar 2026 - 27 Dec 2025

Tech without the turmoil: How Finance Leaders can drive smarter digital decisions

Farington Lodge Hotel, Stanifield Lane, Farington, Preston, PR25 4QR

08:00 - 10:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin