A conference jointly held by the Heart of the South West Local Economic Partnership (HotSW) and the Employment and Skills Partnership will give manufacturers the opportunity to express their views on creating economic growth in the sector.
The Supporting Manufacturing in the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership Conference will be held at the Somerset College Genesis Centre on Monday 14th November from noon until 4.00p.m.
Speakers include Lee Hopley, Chief Economist for the Engineering Employers Federation (EEF), Tim Jones, Chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Ben Neild, Assistant Director of Skills and Learning Intelligence Module (SLIM) at the University of Exeter.
Tim Jones, Chair of HotSW said: “We want manufacturers across the HotSW region to come to this important conference. The government has signalled its commitment to manufacturing as vital to economic growth. The South West must capitalise on this renewed interest and ensure that our voice is heard.
“With a strong manufacturing sector which makes a significant contribution to the region’s economy, we must make sure Whitehall realises that the South West is not just about tourism, vital though that industry is. This is where the HotSW will be crucial, lobbying government and speaking for business.
“This is the first conference we are holding of this kind, bringing together the LEP, support bodies and manufacturers. We hope that it will be a model for other sector conferences in the future, and for other LEPs.”
Business support bodies will be there to offer advice. Representatives from EEF, the Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies (SEMTA), UK Trade and Investment, the Manufacturing Advisory Service, West of England Aerospace Forum, Colleges and Universities will all be available to provide information on apprenticeship programmes, export, funding for skills training and many other aspects of business development.
Paul Knight, EEF Regional Director South West said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the manufacturing sector across the partnership region to meet the HotSW Board and listen to what they have to say. Equally, they will be able to convey their views directly to the Board and influence their nascent Manufacturing Support Policy.
“As the first conference of its type, and a potential blueprint for the future we are delighted that the manufacturing sector has this early opportunity to bring so many key bodies together.”
Manufacturing businesses across Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay are invited to attend the conference, which has been sponsored by the Employment and Skills Partnership, EEF and SEMTA.
For more information or to book a place, please e-mail trish.hill@swrsp.org.uk. Places will be limited, so an early response is advised.
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