BUSINESS Minister Margot James MP officially opened the new North Worcestershire Engineering Centre of Excellence in Redditch today, Monday (January 23).
The Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility joined the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP in opening the new specialist engineering training facility, which is set to train up to 200 young apprentices over the next four years.
The centre will be run by specialist training provider Midland Group Training Services (MGTS) and will provide a dedicated local facility to ensure that young people within the area can be trained to provide the engineering skills that local companies require.
Ms James MP said: “Today the Government launched its Industrial Strategy which has a clear focus on maximising the particular expertise of the different areas of the UK and making sure we are driving growth across the whole country. The opening of the North Worcestershire Engineering Centre of Excellence is a great example of building on local strengths and it was a pleasure to see first-hand just what can be achieved when we place skills at the heart of local industry.”
Redditch Borough Council Leader Bill Hartnett said: “Redditch Council is dedicated to providing opportunities for apprentices as we believe we need to invest in the local talent we already have in the borough – beyond.
“This is great news and I am proud that this excellent facility is opening in Redditch.”
Borough Mayor Coun Joe Baker added: “Tt was great to be taking part in the opening of this new business training apprentices.
After chatting to staff it really impressed upon me how vital it is to have world class training so that employers can choose tailor-made training for their companies.
“I’m proud Redditch Council is setting the example for growing business opportunities here in the county. Congratulations to Bill Hartnett for his efforts.”
Gary Woodman, chief executive of Worcestershire LEP, said: “It was great to welcome Margot James MP back to Worcestershire to see more of the fantastic progress that we are making in the County as well as opening an exceptional engineering facility.”
Andrew Cleaves, board director – Skills Greater Birmingham and Solihull, said: “This is a fantastic example of how partnership working and the Local Enterprise Partnerships are supporting capital investment in the creation of additional local engineering skills provision.”
Lee Weatherly, CEO of MGTS, said: “It was a privilege to have officially opened the North Worcestershire Engineering Centre of Excellence with Margot James MP. The Minister knows how important skills and apprenticeships are to small businesses and we are all very excited to be able to train the workforce of the future.”
