By Julian Whittle

Published at 11:51, Monday, 29 October 2012

SMALL and medium-sized manufacturers across the north west, including Cumbria, are set to benefit from a £2.4m business-support programme.

Julie Madigan: ‘Urgent need to up skills levels’

The aim is to create or safeguard 1,000 jobs and add £10m to the regional economy.

The three-year initiative is supported by investment from the Manufacturing Institute and the European Regional Development Fund.

It will develop the skills of 900 manufacturers through leadership and management masterclasses and company-specific coaching.

This includes Dragons’ Den-style sessions where leading manufacturing figures and entrepreneurs provide expert guidance on development and growth opportunities.

The programme aims to tackle two of the biggest threats to UK manufacturing – the continuing loss of skills and the shortage of skilled workers.

A web-based forum will be developed for manufacturers to share knowledge with each other.

Julie Madigan, chief executive of the Manufacturing Institute, said: “With 587,000 workers set to retire from manufacturing over the next decade, there is an urgent need to drive up skills levels.

“We’re also seeing a growing trend towards technical and professional skill levels and yet smaller businesses often lack the resources and knowledge needed to take these forward.

“Through skills development, individual coaching and bespoke support, this programme aims to tackle these issues head on.”

For more information, email info@manufacturinginstitute.co.uk or call 0161 875 2525.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk