WEST MIDLANDS manufacturing is set for a £3million boost in the supply chain.
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has launched its first ‘Automotive Skills Plan’ at FANUC UK, Ansty, near Coventry.
It also includes the £3million training and education fund devolved from central government to the WMCA.
It will provide training for new automotive staff, and help re-train existing skilled workers in the supply chain.
There are 1,100 automotive businesses contributing £3.2billion to the regional economy and employing 46,000 staff, the WMCA says.
New technologies are emerging, and upskilling and reskilling is required.
Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street said: “The automotive industry is incredibly important to the West Midlands, and the businesses working here employ 28 per cent of the UK’s overall automotive sector.
“We are, as JLR proved with its Castle Bromwich commitment, the country’s premier car manufacturing region.
“We have done, and will continue to do, all we can to support the major players like JLR, but the vast majority of those employed in our automotive industry work within the supply chain which is where we want to focus our support with this latest funding.
“This £3million fund will act as a catalyst to help future-proof thousands of jobs in the automotive sector, helping employees gain the skills needed to keep the West Midlands at the forefront of the global automotive industry.”
Coun George Duggins, leader of Coventry City Council and WMCA portfolio holder for productivity and skills, said: “The automotive industry is important for the West Midlands, and particularly Coventry.
“The skills plan will help to bring a new focus to training in the region, ensuring we have a highly-skilled automotive workforce, while the £3m training fund will help those smaller businesses in the supply train to access training for their staff to help protect jobs.”
The launch of the Automotive Skills Plan comes just weeks after Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) confirmed it would produce a new line of electric vehicles in the West Midlands – safeguarding thousands of jobs.
