Chancellor visits MTC as part of national business connect programme

The chancellor Jeremy Hunt has visited the Coventry-based Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) as part of the government's national Business Connect programme.

Accompanied by more than 50 captains of British industry, he discussed the importance of advanced manufacturing to the UK economy. The visit agenda included presentations from the chancellor, ministers and the MTC chief executive Graham Hoare, round table discussions with industry leaders, and a visit to the world-class MTC training centre and apprentice workshop, which was one of the reasons the MTC was chosen as a venue.

The chancellor was joined by Kemi Badenoch, secretary of state for business and trade, Chloe Smith, secretary of state for science, innovation and technology, George Freeman, minister of state for science, research and innovation, and Nusrat Ghani, minister for industry and economic security.

Audience members included CEOs and senior executives from some of the UK's biggest businesses including Rolls-Royce, JLR, BMW UK, Unipart, Airbus, GE and the SMMT.

Welcoming the group, Mr Hoare said: “We are immensely proud of the role we play in growing UK manufacturing, whether working across sectors from aerospace and defence to transport and agritech, to developing technologies, including cutting-edge digital automation and robotics. I was particularly pleased to see the chancellor engage with a number of our apprentices, who are the future of the sector.”

He said advanced manufacturing was vital for jobs, productivity, sustainability, growth and sovereign capability, and the global context of major government subsidies to industry in the US and EU emphasised the need for action in the UK to ensure the country remains internationally competitive.

Mr Hunt said: "Advanced manufacturing is one of our most successful sectors and key to driving UK growth, which is why I want to make sure we're removing any barriers that might be holding business back."  

David Grailey, managing director of MTC Training said: " We have the opportunity to work with some of the biggest engineering companies in the UK and are in constant dialogue to reflect their developing requirements, whether in electrification, digital engineering or other areas.

"Our apprentices demonstrate much more than pure engineering skill. They are confident, engaged and enthusiastic about their work, which was clear to see as I watched them speak to the chancellor and his colleagues. I genuinely believe that these young men and women will lead our industries of the future, whatever they may be."

MTC
www.the-mtc.org