Member Article

Leaders unite to discuss future of manufacturing

Key figures from the manufacturing industry have united with the Government to discuss how the sector can support economic growth in the UK.

At the Manufacturing Summit, leaders focused on ways to promote manufacturing, commericalising technology, access to finance and exports.

Education also was high on the agenda at the conference, which considered ways of encouraging more young people to take up apprenticeship schemes and opportunities for manufacturers to engage more with training providers.

Steve Grant, managing director of TTE on Teesside offered his support to the Governments plans.

He commented: “This summit is definitely a good thing, and indicates that the Government is aware of the importance of the manufacturing industry for the UK..

“David Cameron recently said that he wanted to make apprenticeships a ‘gold standard option’, and it seems that he is serious about improving the status of apprenticeships by ensuring that they run for a minimum of 12 months.

“Locally manufacturing firms are becoming increasingly keen on the idea of higher apprenticeships, which can also be an excellent route for young people. Apprenticeships are vital to the future of the manufacturing industry, and apprenticeships are part of that.”

The Summit was hosted by the Business Secretary Vince Cable and Business Minister Mark Prisk. Dr Cable believes that the event has created a perfect platform for the Government to further strengthen its relationship with industry and hear what leaders have to say.

“Building on this country’s strengths, we are working with businesses to support and grow the UK’s manufacturing capabilities, encourage innovation, develop supply chains, promote exports, business investment and improve skills.” He said.

Commenting on the speech by the Business Secretary at the Manufacturing Summit today, Tony Sarginson from EEF in the North East, the manufacturers’ organisation said:

“This is a welcome re-inforcement of manufacturing’s central role at the heart of a modern, rebalanced economy. However, if government wants to get Business investing and creating the jobs our economy urgently needs we need to see a re-invigorated effort to set out its ambitions for our economy to the end of this Parliament and the policies that will deliver them.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .