ON Friday, Harlow MP, Robert Halfon, visited Raytheon’s brand new HQ at the Enterprise Zone in Harlow to speak apprentices and other trainees and employees. He spoke about his own experiences growing up and about how, despite his disability, he became a Member of Parliament.

Raytheon recently moved from their old site in the Pinnacles to Harlow’s new Enterprise Zone as part of their £25million of investment in the local economy.

Speaking about their event, Raytheon CEO, Richard Daniel, said, “Supporting diversity is a key part of our strategic growth plans, we want to ensure we have an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued and empowered. It is the diversity of talent and thought that drives innovation. As company with leading technologies, we want to encourage as much diversity of thought as possible and empower everyone. Raytheon is particularly proud of the commitment it has made to establish employee resource groups, such as its Raytheon Women’s Network, RAre (Raytheon Reservists and Veterans), and Yesnet (Young Employee Network) to support everyone in the company.”

Robert Halfon MP said, “I was delighted to be invited to visit Raytheon’s new HQ at the Harlow Enterprise Zone on Friday. They have state-of-the-art new facilities there that are providing an innovative working environment for their Harlow employees and show how much they are investing in their future in our town.

It was a pleasure to speak with Harlow-based apprentices like Charlene from Staple Tye who is working hard there as an accountancy apprentice. Alongside another colleague, she did a fantastic job of organising the whole visit which was a great success. Raytheon take on apprentices training to be service technicians, parts advisers and customer service advisers as well as in business and administration, and leadership and management. They also offer advanced Higher Apprenticeship opportunities for those working in their technical departments.

I am incredibly proud to have this world-leading company in Harlow particularly when they do so much for education as well. They hold a yearly Quadcopter Challenge for local schools to encourage young people to take up careers in STEM subjects and follow this through with the fantastic apprenticeship opportunities that they offer to Harlow residents. It was a pleasure to speak to them all and share some of my own experiences.”