Halifax’s MP Kate Dearden said she wants to ensure “we do all we can” to support the future of the steel industry, following a visit to a local manufacturer.

Mrs Dearden visited Halifax-based manufacturer Elland Steel in September, meeting representatives from both the company as well as its trade association, British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA).

During the visit, Mrs Dearden heard about the challenges facing the constructional steelwork sector, including skills shortages, access to training, investment in automation and technology, and the need to ensure UK businesses can compete globally.

BCSA raised wider concerns affecting the constructional steelwork sector, including the exclusion of fabricated steel products from the UK’s steel tariffs and quotas framework.

Picture (left to right) are Mark Denham, Chairman and Managing Director at Elland Steel, Kate Dearden, MP for Halifax, Maximus Robbins, Gary Roe and Bailey Slade from Elland Steel.

placeholder image — Picture (left to right) are Mark Denham, Chairman and Managing Director at Elland Steel, Kate Dearden, MP for Halifax, Maximus Robbins, Gary Roe and Bailey Slade from Elland Steel.

The Halifax MP was also shown Elland Steel’s use of Building Information Modelling and digital design technology.

The company — founded in Elland in 1973 — delivers structural steelwork projects across the UK, and has invested in semi-automated fabrication equipment to help address skilled labour shortages.

Mrs Dearden said: “Elland Steel is a great example of the expertise, skilled people and industrial capability we have here in Halifax.

“It was a pleasure to visit the team, see their work first-hand and hear about how they are investing in new technology and developing the skills needed for the future.

“Having worked closely with the steel industry as a trade unionist, I am acutely aware of both the opportunities and challenges facing the sector.

“I also know how important it is to support businesses to grow, innovate and develop the next generation of skilled workers.

“That’s why I’ve written to the Minister for Skills about creating new training opportunities, and in the coming weeks I’ll be bringing together local steel companies and the minister responsible for steel.

“I want to ensure businesses like Elland Steel have a voice in shaping the Government’s work and that we do all we can to support the future of our steel industry.”

Mark Denham, Managing Director of Elland Steel, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Kate to Elland Steel and show her firsthand the work we do, the investment we are making and both the opportunities and challenges facing businesses like ours.

“One of our biggest challenges is skills. We want to recruit, train and retain people locally, but the training infrastructure that once supported industries like ours has reduced considerably.

“Twenty years ago, when I interviewed draughtsman they generally all served their apprenticeships at two main companies. Since they ceased trading, nobody has replaced them.

“It was great to be able to showcase that we’re investing heavily in the business, including in automation to deliver improved productivity. That technology is there to support our workforce rather than replace it, and investment in equipment has to go hand-in-hand with investment in people.”

Jonathan Clemens, Chief Executive of BCSA, said: “The constructional steelwork sector supports highly skilled jobs across the UK and is a major customer for domestically produced steel.

“Government policy therefore, must consider the whole steel supply chain.

“If fabricated steelwork is excluded from trade protections, there is a real risk that manufacturing work and jobs simply move overseas, undermining the protection being given to UK steelmaking.

“We were grateful to Kate for taking the time to visit Elland Steel and engage with the issues facing businesses across the sector.”