North West Summit
Dods UK Manufacturing Dialogue: North West Summit
On Monday 20th June, Dods ran its UK Manufacturing Dialogue: North West Summit at Burnley College, a new £100 million facility offering a range of engineering and advanced manufacturing courses and apprenticeships. Hosted by Gordon Birtwistle MP, the summit brought together over 150 representatives from local businesses, councils and trade associations to celebrate manufacturing in the North West.
The summit was attended by Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, who delivered a keynote speech and took part in a panel discussion on skills.
Speaking on the importance of advanced manufacturing in rebalancing the UK economy and reversing the decline of the sector, Cable hailed the North West as an essential region with some outstanding high-skilled, high value manufacturers. He pledged government support for manufacturing, outlining tax incentives, investment and a commitment to improving skills through increased numbers of University Technical Colleges and apprenticeships. Cable ended by saying that “although UK manufacturing still faces tough times, I am optimistic about the future.” He highlighted the high potential of North West companies in steering the UK towards economic growth, and stressed that the government was keen to help them achieve this.
After a tour of the college and a visit to the exhibition of over 20 local organisations (including The Manufacturing Institute, BAE Systems, East and North West Lancashire Chambers of Commerce and the North West Aerospace Alliance), Cable departed, but the day continued. Panel sessions focusing on skills, and finance, trade and export, saw speakers such as Dr Julie Madigan of the Manufacturing Institute, Tim Wheeler of Boeing, Mike Damms of the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Simon Barker of Finmeccanica and Bob Keen of BAE Systems, debating what business and government need to do ensure manufacturing thrives as a major sector in the UK once again.
The headline sponsors of the North West Summit were:
