Engineering gears up in Gloucestershire

In the UK, the engineering sector alone represents around a quarter of business turnover and employs around 5.6 million people. In Gloucestershire, manufacturing and engineering is one of our top strengths, accounting for over 13% of employment compared with the national average of 9%.

In the UK, the engineering sector alone represents around a quarter of business turnover and employs around 5.6 million people. In Gloucestershire, manufacturing and engineering is one of our top strengths, accounting for over 13% of employment compared with the national average of 9%. To help businesses across the county to bring new ideas and technologies faster to market, GFirst LEP’s Advanced Manufacturing Sector Group will be hosting a workshop session and visit on Monday 14^th April by Iain Gray, Chief Executive of the Technology Strategy Board, a UK Government body to stimulate and support UK innovation. 

Led by Steve Hawkins, former Site and Facilities Director at Moog Controls Ltd, the Advanced Manufacturing group represented by leading engineering and manufacturing companies across the county will be keen to explore ways of stimulating growth opportunities in this sector.  The workshop session will also include a visit to exemplar companies such as Versarien in Cinderford and Ultra Electonics PALS in Cheltenham for Iain to see at first hand how the Technology Strategy Board has aided their innovations and developments.

Commenting on the visit, David Owen, Chief Executive, GFirst LEP said: “Closing the engineering skills gap in Gloucestershire will also feature as a key discussion point, in particular, the launch in September of the specialised top up Degree for Engineering. Developed in partnership between the University of Gloucestershire and GFirst LEP, the course has been strongly welcomed by engineering and manufacturing employers across the county who currently need to source higher education training outside of Gloucestershire.”

Neill Ricketts, CEO of Versarien and GFirst LEP Board Member added: “I’m delighted that we are able to host this valuable workshop and visit by Iain Gray. Iain will be able to share insights and direction as to  how best we can accelerate the journey between concept and commercialisation of new innovations, something that we are keen to embrace across Gloucestershire.”

Rakesh Sharma, Chief Executive, Ultra Electronics commented: “I am delighted that Iain Gray has chosen to visit Ultra Electronics PALS in Cheltenham. Our business has been successful in securing funding for four projects and works very closely with the Technology Strategy Board to bring innovation to market, potentially securing competitive market positions globally. I am sure Iain will enjoy the opportunity to see the successful output of our partnership.”