New Years Honour for Wayne Jones

Wayne Jones received the award for services to the north west and supporting young people following the work at the MAN Diesel & Turbo Training Academy in Hazel Grove

Wayne Jones admits it was a ‘surprise’ to find out he had been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.

Wayne, who is now an Executive Board Member of MAN Diesel & Turbo SE, received the award for services to the north west and supporting young people.

Wayne, 49, was born in Manchester but now lives in Mellor, Stockport, has been given the award for MAN Diesel and Turbo’s work with young people at its Academy in Hazel Grove.

Wayne Jones Wayne, pictured left, commented: “It was a complete surprise, the first I knew was when I received a letter in October.

“Nick Clegg visited our Hazel Grove site in 2014 and was keen to learn about apprenticeships and our Training Academy, so maybe he had something to do with it.

“Around 500 people aged 12-19 have been through our Academy, ranging from a few hours learning about CVs and interview techniques to a two-week work experience programme.”

MAN Diesel & Turbo also took on 10 apprentices in 2015 and Wayne believes they have an important role to play.

He added: “Young people are hugely important to the future of engineering but it is proving difficult to attract them to our industry.

“Many people are unaware that there is a strong growth in engineering and manufacturing, especially in the north west, but if we are not able to develop the engineers of tomorrow, there will be a huge skills shortage.

“Far too many go straight to University and don’t consider an apprenticeship and, like many other sectors, we have a great imbalance.

“There are great and varied opportunities in engineering for a rewarding career and we need young minds to drive and influence the future.”

Wayne, who is also the President of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, became the first Briton to be appointed to the Board of MAN Diesel & Turbo SE, the oldest industrial company in Germany, and took up his role this week.

Wayne will be invited to London to receive his OBE before the summer.