Advanced manufacturing training hub set to deliver skilled workforce

People and businesses across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent will benefit from the area’s newly formed advanced manufacturing training hub in a matter of months, the local enterprise partnership chairman said today.

Speaking on the day of the Government’s manufacturing summit, David Frost said Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire were forging ahead to increase skills in the area and make sure it can deliver a workforce suitable for the needs of its
businesses.

The area has become a centre for advanced engineering and manufacturing and employment opportunities are increasing. An Education Trust was set up by the local enterprise partnership last year and moved swiftly to set up measures to improve skills for people of all ages in the long-term.

The Advanced Manufacturing Training Hub will see £3million investment in three areas in 2014/15. In Tamworth, an engineering and manufacturing hub is being set up with South Staffordshire College at the former Torc vocational centre and at the college’s town campus. New courses will be available from September following LEP, county council and college investment. Funding has also gone to a training organisation in Newcastle and to Stoke-on-Trent College. This first phase of the hub will see around 2,200 people learning new skills to prepare them for work in the engineering and manufacturing sector. In addition to full-time training courses, younger people will get a taste of engineering and manufacturing through vocational training.

David said: “The Education Trust shows how business, educational organisations and councils can work effectively to deliver skills to improve economic growth and opportunity. We have recognised the need to address the skills shortage in our area and the increased demand for a local workforce by the growing number of advanced manufacturing businesses. The LEP, councils, education providers and businesses have invested where it matters. Our City Deal has had an immediate impact with the delivery of training packages and state-of-the art facilities from September. This is about ensuring young people enter the workplace with the right skills, that people can improve their skills and that people can re-skill. We have demonstrated that we are working together to increase opportunities for people and businesses. It is an appropriate time to reflect this on the day of
the national Manufacturing Summit in Liverpool.”