Future Aerospace Manufacturing Seminar

The Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) and the University of Sheffield AMRC are organising a Future Aerospace Manufacturing Seminar and the launch of New Apprenticeship Pathways on 8 February in Sheffield. The key note address will be given by a senior government minister. 

Speakers at this half day seminar will include Dr Gareth Williams, Vice President - Research & Technology Business Development & Partnerships at Airbus, and other eminent speakers from the aerospace manufacturing sector. They will be discussing requirements for emerging technologies in the metals and composites sectors.

Graham Dewhurst, Director General of the MTA says:

“The Association has been working with the AMRC Training Centre to develop and secure accreditation for an apprenticeship framework aimed at helping young people progress in advanced manufacturing careers where they will need both engineering skills and commercial acumen.

A huge number of management roles in engineering based manufacturing now require skill sets in both engineering and commerce. These skills are increasingly needed by more junior employees within manufacturing organisations who are expected to take on higher levels of responsibility.

The trend over the last decade or so for manufacturers to broaden their offering to embrace customer support solutions has created new opportunities that could benefit the UKs advanced manufacturing sector. In this context the apprenticeship framework that is being developed will seek to equip the new generation entering advanced engineering with the skills that they will require.”

Alison Bettac, Director of Training at the AMRC Training Centre says:

“There is an increasing demand on employers to grow their own talent in disciplines which are often hard to fill due to the specific requirements of the role. The Apprentice Pathways that are being developed by this strategic partnership will enable MTA members and other sectors to develop their own talent with a structured framework and allow for individual company requirements at the same time.”

The first year of the Pathway would focus on engineering skills (performing engineering operations and engineering extension classes) but would also introduce elements of business awareness and a foreign language. It would be delivered largely on site at the AMRC Training Centre.

The second and third years would build on the engineering skills with a Level 3 Technical Certificate but also include a Level 3 NVQ in one of a range of business disciplines (such as sales), further language study, and topics such as Import and Export Law, Regulations and International Business Culture.

Throughout the course learners would have access to master class sessions hosted by MTA members. The intention is for the first years intake, of around 25 students, to start in September 2013.

Notes to editors:

Please do not hesitate to contact Paul ODonnell or Eric Beech at the MTA on 0207 298 6420 or via e-mail at: podonnell@mta.org.uk or ebeech@mta.org.uk

Or Tim Chapman at the AMRC on 07872 419671 or at: t.chapman@amrc.co.uk

The Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) is the UK trade association for the Manufacturing Technologies industry. The MTA sits at the core of engineering based manufacturing with the aim to promote the use and innovation of advanced technology in manufacturing.

Further information about the MTA can be found at www.mta.org.uk

The University of Sheffield AMRC is a cluster of industry-focused manufacturing R&D centres and supporting facilities, based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in South Yorkshire. It includes the original Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing; Nuclear AMRC; and new AMRC Training Centre (opening autumn 2013).

The AMRC Training Centre is part-funded by the Regional Growth Fund and the European Regional Development Fund.

Further information about the AMRC Training Centre can be found at www.amrctraining.co.uk