There is undoubtedly an upskilling trend in the manufacturing sector. Developing the skilled workforce of tomorrow, equipped with knowledge and understanding of emerging technologies, is essential to enabling UK industry to compete in global markets.
 
Imaginative new routes to facilitate this are developing; probably the most significant being focused around the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult.
 
In December 2014 the government announced that it will work with the HVM Catapult and EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, to establish a National College with major facilities around the country including the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in Sheffield, the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry, Warwick Manufacturing Group, and the Centre for Process Innovation on Teesside. The Catapult leads innovation in manufacturing – its role will ensure training equips learners for the future economy. The National College will be established as a network of hubs that will identify and work with the best established providers nationwide. It will identify he needs of industry and develop training provision to develop world-class practical skills to meet those needs.
 
There are opportunities for SMEs to engage with the HVM Catapult and there are many case studies which may provide the incentive for companies to do so. Such engagement would see that they are best placed to benefit from the range of upskilling