Skills Minister addresses MTA

In his speech MTA President, Mark Ridgway OBE, highlighted the importance of the UK manufacturing supply chain. He paid tribute to its strengths but also raised concerns about the danger posed by skills shortages, which need to be addressed urgently.

Mark Ridgway said: "To make the most of the success of UK advanced engineering we have to make sure that the benefits get into the heart of the supply chains. There is huge strength and diversity in the UK’s SMEs. Because make no mistake, value is created at all stages of the supply chain.”

Nick Boles MP said that he wanted to clear up myths and misconceptions around the government’s plans for apprenticeships and training. He said that the future success of apprenticeships lay with devolving funding to employers. He confirmed that this would not be accompanied by any additional burden – either financial or administrative – on companies investing in the future of their businesses through apprenticeships.

Nick Boles also had a request for the advanced manufacturing industry itself – to get out and visit more schools and more colleges to help spread the word about careers in advanced manufacturing. And not just to the 17 year olds in colleges or sixth forms, but also the primary schools and younger people, to get young boys and girls excited about a future in advanced manufacturing.

Iain Wright MP, Shadow Minister for Industry, who hosted the event, highlighted the great work being undertaken by the MTA on behalf of its members and in particular the tremendous showcase for the industry that was MACH 2014. He too paid tribute to the potential of the UK’s supply chain companies and said that manufacturing is of particular importance as it drives so many other areas of the economy forward.