There is described a system and apparatus for the manufacture of a wind turbine blade where portions of a blade, preferably blade half shells, are formed in suitable molds, before transferal to a post-molding station where post-molding operations can be performed. The blade shells are formed in the mold to have integrated flanges which facilitate easy handling of the blade shells during subsequent manufacturing operations. There is also described a blade cradle of a post-molding station to receive a wind turbine blade shell, where a lifting jack apparatus can be located within the blade cradle structure for the application of a lifting force to a surface of a blade shell received in the cradle, to facilitate access to all sections of the surface of the blade shell.