A BRAND new £8.5million investment at Prestwick Airport is said to bring a massive job boost to the area.

Chevron, who are an aircraft maintenance firm are looking to establish "world-class centre of excellence for aircraft engineering, maintenance and training" at Prestwick Airport.

Ayr Advertiser:

The investment will lead to the creation of up to 82 new jobs in Scotland, of which 67 are highly specialised and skilled positions. 

The company expect to increase turnover from £9.6m in 2016 to £19m by 2021. On Wednesday, November 16 the Cabinet Secretary met the first newly recruited member of staff while given a tour of the Hangar 747 where Chevron is now located. 

Economy Secretary Keith Brown said: “I am delighted to welcome the news that Chevron Aircraft Maintenance Limited will establish an aircraft engineering, maintenance and training regional centre of excellence at Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

“The company’s investment, which is being supported by our economic development agency Scottish Enterprise, underlines their commitment to Scotland, and is great news for the local Ayrshire economy. This development will bring many new and highly skilled jobs to the Prestwick area. I wish the team every success with the new venture and look forward to hearing of their achievements.”

Ayr Advertiser:

Councillor Bill McIntosh, Leader of South Ayrshire Council said: “Our ability to meet Chevron’s needs and present a robust and confident case for Prestwick as a suitable home for the company has well and truly paid dividends for everyone involved and boosts our reputation as the natural home of aerospace and space even further. 

"It’s also a prime example of what we can offer through our Invest South Ayrshire programme and I’m confident that Chevron is only the first of many companies that we will support to achieve a bigger and brighter future.”