City Deals boost manufacturing investment in Coventry, Norwich and the Black Country

The deals are in Coventry and Warwickshire, Norwich and the surrounding area and the Black Country. The City Deal in Coventry and Warwickshire is expected to create over 15,000 new jobs by 2025 of which over 8,800 will be in the advanced manufacturing and engineering sector. More than £90 million of public and private sector investment will see a new Shared Apprentice Scheme designed to halp apprentices gain work-based training in SMEs. Minister for cities Greg Clark said: "Coventry and Warwickshire is world renowned for advanced manufacturing and engineering. Businesses in the area can create high quality jobs for local people for years to come. "This City Deal has been proposed by local businesses, civic leaders and universities. It will support advanced manufacturing and engineering businesses that want to expand, export and innovate. It will help ensure that as order books fill, local people have the skills to take up the jobs that have been created. I look forward to being in Coventry and Warwickshire in the New Year as we will put this deal into effect." The Black Country City Deal, covering Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley and Sandwell, will bring around £130 million of private investment to the region and create 5,800 new manufacturing jobs in the next four years as well as at least 1,500 apprenticeships in manufacturing jobs. Clark said: "This City Deal is a landmark achievement. 'Made in the Black Country' has always been a mark of high standards at the cutting edge. This deal is made in the Black Country – proposed by the united voice of local businesses and civic leaders - the government has given it a resounding 'yes'."