THE vast majority of the remaining workers with jobs at risk at Main Port Engineering will keep their jobs thanks to a transfer of contract.

Following administrators PwC taking over of the Pembroke Dock engineering company 69 people lost their jobs and another 88 were at risk of redundancy.

Oil refinery Valero has announced that 83 staff members, working on site as contractors from Main Port Engineering, will have their contracts transferred to Cape Engineering Services Ltd.

This includes 12 apprentices now able to continue their training.

A Valero spokesman said: “Valero Energy Ltd has been in close consultation with Main Port Engineering (MPE) and its administrator to safeguard the continued employment of as many MPE employees as possible, including apprentices that work at the Pembroke Refinery site.

“We are pleased to announce that as a result of these discussions, the site contract has been transferred to Cape Engineering Services Ltd, ensuring the continued employment of 83 members of the MPE workforce, including apprentices.

“These employees will transfer to Cape employment on 14 November.

“While this has been a difficult time for many, this news of a successful transition is a positive boost for families and the local economy. We have been able to retain employment for a highly skilled workforce in Pembrokeshire and create a sustainable future for all employees at Pembroke Refinery.”

Roger Hale, joint administrator and director at PwC, said: “MPE has had a long tradition of employing people in the local area, and I am delighted that 83 jobs have been safeguarded following the transfer of the Valero site contract to Cape. I would like to thank all those involved in achieving this positive outcome.”

Reacting to the south Pembrokeshire Assembly Member Angela Burns said: “This is very welcome news and will come as a great relief to those 83 members of staff whose jobs have been secured for the foreseeable future.

“It is great to also hear that the apprenticeship schemes currently being undertaken will be able to be completed.

“I pay tribute to all those involved in setting up this deal and I will continue to do all I can to assist the remaining Mainport employees find new jobs.”

Roger Hale and Rob Lewis of PwC were appointed joint administrators to Main Port Engineering (1990) Limited (“the Company”) on 27 October 2016.

PwC said that Main Port Engineering "was affected by the closure of the Murco Oil Refinery in Milford Haven in 2014".