Greater Manchester's Manufacturing Strategy is six-step plan backed by prominent business figures including the board of the GM LEP which includes Juergen Maier, managing director of the industry sector (UK & Ireland) for Siemens; Wayne Jones, senior vice president of MAN Diesel & Turbo SE.
With the industry set to grow in value from £6.7 billion to at least £10bn by 2027, Greater Manchester's Manufacturing Strategy outlines how the sector can play a critical role in helping the region to prosper and in rebalancing the UK's economy.
Recommendations include establishing a private-sector led Manufacturing Leadership Network, which would serve as a powerful voice for Greater Manchester's manufacturing base. It is intended that the network would draw attention to current issues and also complement the work of existing national and North West bodies.
Another recommendation is to establish better collaboration in manufacturing between Greater Manchester skills training facilities, incorporating key private-sector participants and giving skills providers access to the latest manufacturing technologies. This is already underway through the work of Engineering Futures, a Greater Manchester initiative which launched in Summer 2014 and is supported by the Skills Company, Trafford College and Tameside College.
Mike Blackburn, chair of GM LEP, said: "The manufacturing sector presents a wealth of opportunity for Greater Manchester, and in light of recent announcements from Government about devolving powers to our combined authority, this is undoubtedly an exciting time to be part of the industry."
"However, there are significant challenges across the sector and we're keen that our manufacturing base has the appropriate tools to tackle these and develop its trade over the long-term."
He added: "We're confident that, through the support of industry, we've identified the immediate core needs, and we intend the strategy to evolve as its six recommendations are brought to life. We want to continue this dialogue as we move forward to implement initiatives such as the Leaders Network in the coming months."
To view the Greater Manchester Manufacturing Strategy in full, click here.
