Britain’s Business Minister Pat McFadden has announced an increase of Government funding to £40 million for a new manufacturing technology centre (MTC).
Since the Manufacturing Strategy was published in 2008, Government has set out a new approach to supporting the economy. The transition to low carbon and a move to high tech high value-added manufacturing give the industry new opportunities to build on its strong base. The Government is investing in MTC and similar facilities to help UK manufacturing realize those opportunities.
In a speech to industry leaders from across manufacturing, Business Minister Pat McFadden will set out the need for an investment in skills as well as new technologies and will say for the sector to continue to grow and succeed it needs to have people with the right skills in the right place at the right time.
The Minister will also formally launch, Manufacturing Insight, a new industry backed body charged with improving the public perception of the sector and highlighting the diverse range of careers available.
Business Minister Pat McFadden will say:
“Britain has a great manufacturing future, not just a great manufacturing past. We are the sixth largest manufacturing economy globally. But the face of manufacturing here is changing and we need to embrace and support the numerous opportunities created as a result”
“That’s why we’re investing in centers like Ansty Park to help business and universities collaborate and commercialize new and innovative products and processes.”
The new center at Ansty Park in the Midlands will form part of a national network of manufacturing centers offering support for business and universities. The network will support innovation in manufacturing, helping new and emerging products and processes get to market. The £40 million investment comes from Advantage West Midlands and East Midlands Development agency.
Up to twenty projects have already been identified to use the new center at Ansty Park and it is hoped that up to 150 highly skilled jobs will be created. Over the next ten years a total of £130 million will be invested in the center and constitutes the largest investment in a manufacturing research facility for many years.
Pat McFadden will add:
“It’s not just technology that will help us move forward, we need the right people with the right skills too. Which is why I’m delighted to also be launching Manufacturing Insight. It will be promoting our success and working to attract the best of the next generation into these exciting, challenging careers.”
Speaking about the role of Manufacturing Insight, Director Nick Hussey said:
“Manufacturing Insight has an exciting and challenging opportunity to promote the careers available in a wide range of disciplines not traditionally associated with the sector including product design and rapid prototyping, process strategies, international supply chain logistics and a whole gamut of more general business skills.
“With the changing face of manufacturing we want to help improve the perception of the sector to reflect its reality and inspire the next generation to consider what the full breadth of the manufacturing sector has to offer them.”
Bryan Jackson, Chairman of East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA), which has the lead role for manufacturing on behalf of England’s Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), said:
“As RDAs we have been actively involved in the development of the Manufacturing Strategy and its implementation. Our investment in business support, skills development, R&D, trade and business efficiency reflects the significance of manufacturing in a balanced economy.
“New Industry, New Jobs will add further to the development of manufacturing to ensure that we are in a strong, competitive style of health to take advantage of the recovery that will inevitably come.”
Mick Laverty, Chief Executive at Advantage West Midlands, said:
“Manufacturing is extremely important to the future prosperity of the Midlands’ and UK economy. Today’s announcement is fantastic news for manufacturing and will provide a huge boost for the competitiveness of our innovative industrial companies, large and small.”
“Independent economic assessment predicts a £45 return on investment for the UK for every pound invested in the MTC. This reflects the RDAs’ commitment to investing in activities which add the most value to the economy.
“The RDAs’ unique positions as business like and business led organizations with strong relationships across the range of key agencies, such as local authorities, allows us to bring together the private and public sectors to deliver these crucial and major projects.”
Source: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
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