Manufacturing excellence boost for the West Midlands

Two pioneering engineering and technology centres form collaboration

A ground-breaking agreement has been signed between the Manufacturing Technology Centre and the Herefordshirebased New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering, leading the way to regional partnership and industrial and educational growth.

The agreement, signed by the CEOs of both organisations, marks a collaboration that will build on the strengths of each – the advanced technologies of the MTC and the academic quality and distinctiveness of NMITE, providing its students with hands-on access to the latest in manufacturing equipment and techniques. The MTC@NMITE will also work with local businesses in transferring and adopting knowledge to boost manufacturing productivity and sustainability.

The MTC aims to provide a competitive environment to bridge the gap between university-based research and the development of innovative manufacturing solutions, in line with the Government’s manufacturing strategy. The partnership with NMITE will complement the MTC’s existing training offering, which offers professional qualifications up to post-graduate level to redress skills gaps in the high value manufacturing sector. NMITE offers a breakthrough, interdisciplinary model of higher education which equips students with the diverse and creative problem-solving skills needed in an ever-changing world.

MTC chief executive, Dr Clive Hickman said: “We look forward to building a relationship with James Newby and his team at NMITE and exploring the synergies between our two organisations. Our discussions to date have led us to believe that there are a number of opportunities that will be achieved through our complementary skills that will be of benefit to all parties, our regions and the communities in which we work, both in terms of the manufacturing sector and the small and medium businesses which are very much at its heart.”

James Newby, CEO of NMITE, said: “By working with the expert teams at the MTC, we will be able to accelerate the progress of our new Centre for Automated Manufacturing and our work in supporting the development of skills and productivity in our region. The MTC@NMITE brings together two organisations driving innovation in technology, higher education, sustainability and skills and we are looking forward to building our partnership further; the future is exciting.”

The MTC@NMITE is part of NMITE's Centre for Automated Manufacturing (CAM), which was founded to boost regional productivity in the manufacturing sector, and to impart the skills required for the delivery of Industry 4.0. CAM’s mission is to support the growth of a modern, productive, sustainable and competitive regional manufacturing industry which will be achieved through offers for parttime, full-time, and professional education learners, as well as degree apprentices.