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Key voices from the automotive and aerospace industries joined forces with the Lancashire and Cumbria Institute of Technology to discuss building a strong talent pipeline fit for the future.
The Future Skills for Advanced Manufacturing forum was hosted at Burnley College in partnership with the Northern Automotive Alliance (NAA) and the North West Aerospace Alliance, with employers, educators and industry experts.
The networking event focused on how the region can tackle skills challenges to ensure it can continue to be a competitive force.
Lancashire and Cumbria are home to a wealth of industry leaders and the innovative small businesses that make up their supply chains, many of which were in the audience for the panel event.
The IoT was represented by Neil Burrows, director of skills and innovation at Burnley College, Sarah Hall, director of B&FC for Business at Blackpool and the Fylde College, and Christopher Mayoh, director of construction, engineering and motor vehicle, at East Lancashire Learning Group.
Co-creating courses
Answering questions from Paul Bell, from the NWAA, they spoke about how the IoT, through its eight academic partners, is collaborating with industry to co-create courses to give learners the skills the region needs.
Central to the discussion was the £8.9m investment, awarded through the national network of IoTs, that enabled the colleges to buy cutting-edge equipment and facilities to simulate real working environments. Facilities such as security operations centres, CNC machines and virtual reality Igloos, enable learners to get to grips with the equipment and operating systems they’ll be required to use when they go into the world of work.
The event also looked at how rapid technological change, sustainability pressures and global competition are reshaping the skills needed by advanced manufacturers. The discussions looked at how curricula developed in response to industry needs, along with strong pathways from school to college, are vital to funnel people into the roles businesses need.
Engage and innovate
The NAA and NWAA underlined that businesses must engage closely with colleges to shape skills provision, while colleges must continue to adapt, invest and innovate to meet industry expectations.
The event delivered honest and thought-provoking debate, with businesses offering valuable insights into the changing needs of the sector. A clear message emerged that collaboration is essential to ensure learners are work-ready to meet the needs of our region.