During the recent Summer Recess, MP for High Peak, Robert Largan, visited Breedon Cement Works in Hope to present certificates to their newly-qualified apprentices.

A recent independent report on the economic impact of the UK’s largest cement works demonstrates it has supported 270 jobs, contributing £61 million to the local economy.

In a region with a long-established mineral and aggregates industry, Breedon’s Hope Cement Works accounts for around 16 per cent of UK cement production.

For every 10 jobs created in the Peak District National Park, nearly three additional jobs are created from the multiplier impact of the Breedon site.

Hope’s cement works has manufactured cement for more than 90 years, and has a long tradition of actively engaging with the local community through its many social and communal activities.

Hope has the capacity to produce around 1.5 million tonnes of Breedon Portland, Breedon Portland Plus and Breedon Rapid cement every year. That equates to more than 90 six-storey office buildings, or 28 community hospitals, 125 000 houses or 100 schools.

John Mulryan, Maintenance Manager at the Hope site and himself  a former apprentice, is proud of the site’s achievements and said: 

“It is such a privilege to be able to build a team here with all the right technical skills and the passion to really make a difference, along with opportunities to learn so many transferable engineering and life skills that will help them in the future.”

Robert Largan MP commented:

“It was a pleasure presenting certificates to apprentices who have such a bright future ahead of them. 

“Hope Cement Works makes a significant contribution to the local economy. It plays a critical part in building the infrastructure this country needs, and will do for many years to come.”