Latest news: Minister backs engineering training centre

The UK workforce and economy, as well as budding engineers, will benefit significantly from the planned Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) Training Centre. 09/10/2012

That's according to minister for skills Matthew Hancock, who visited the AMRC last week.

The AMRC, a collaboration between the University of Sheffield and Boeing, will run the AMRC Training Centre, which was announced by deputy prime minister Nick Clegg in September.

Set to open its doors in autumn 2013, it will be based on a 5,500 square metre site next to the Advanced Manufacturing Park at Catcliffe, Rotherham, and take on 250 young people every year.

The centre, which will also be linked with Sheffield Hallam University and the new Sheffield University Technical College (UTC), will provide practical and academic skills required by top manufacturing companies.

The skills taught will range from apprenticeship level through to Doctorate and MBA level.

As reported by the Yorkshire Post, Mr Hancock met with AMRC training director Alison Bettac to find out how the new centre will benefit young people hoping for a career in engineering and manufacturing.

He said, 'There are exciting things going on at the AMRC that we should shout about and celebrate.

'Manufacturing drives growth and strengthens our global competitiveness. It is training centres like the AMRC that are playing a pivotal role in ensuring the workforce is the best it can be.'

For more information about the organisation and its training centre, visit Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) .