Skills bootcamp to launch at Manufacturing Technology Centre

Published by

Peter Davison

Photo: Gorodenkoff, Shutterstock.com

MTC Training, the training wing of the Coventry-based Manufacturing Technology Centre, has secured funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority to deliver a new training course that will improve the efficiency of manufacturing businesses across the region.

The Skills Bootcamp Manufacturing Efficiency programme, supported by Lloyds Bank, aims to help managers and leaders looking to upskill and optimise their organisation’s processes and output with its combination of face-to-face training, self-study and online and remote learning.

Participating businesses will also benefit from line walks facilitated by MTC’s Manufacturing Support Services consultancy experts, who will help delegates with the initial identification of inefficiencies within their workplace across business activity and technology, as well as continued guidance to enhance skills development through the programme.

During the 16-week programme, the delegates will build their skill-sets in management, leadership and analytics across eight areas, including costs, process improvement, health and safety in the workplace, workplace organisation, visual management, standard work and process monitoring, problem solving, and continuous improvement and innovation.

The first 12 recruits will begin their free learning programme in September, with a further 36 joining the programme by the end of the year.

The opportunity follows the publication of the WMCA’s Local Skills Report last year.

Louise Phipps, senior delivery manager at the WMCA said: “In the decade leading up to the pandemic, the West Midlands was the fastest growing region outside of London, but our report suggests skills shortages have led to one in four vacancies in the region being classed as ‘hard to fill’.

“We’re determined to help our small and medium enterprises fulfill those ‘hard to fill’ roles through the skills development of its talented employees, particularly where their busy schedules may not ordinarily allow them the chance to upskill.”

David Grailey, managing director of MTC Training, said: “Manufacturing businesses need to have leaders with vision and the right managerial skills to enable the adoption of new technologies across their entire operation.

"With strong leaders, businesses will be well-positioned to sustain competitive advantage for the long term, which presents additional benefits for the economy and our society.

“We’re delighted that the WMCA recognises the value in our programme. This is testament to MTC’s SME expertise and our ability to deliver quality training in world-class facilities. We look forward to welcoming the first cohort of trainees next month.”

Rebekah Taitt, regional development director at Lloyds Bank, said she recognises the importance of helping SMEs reach their potential.

She added, “SMEs are facing major succession challenges. At Lloyds, we know that investing in the future of our manufacturing industry will be essential to our region and the wider UK economy.

Visit Hampshire Biz News for bright, upbeat and positive business news from the county

"That’s why we’re supporting MTC Training to offer the pilot of the programme free of charge, helping businesses overcome the financial challenges that come with taking key people out of the business for a period of time to develop their skills.”

The first four cohorts are free for any delegates from an SME, as part of MTC Training’s partnership with Lloyds Bank.

Limited spaces are available, groups of 12 learners will be recruited and start in September through to November.

Peter Davison

Peter Davison is deputy editor of The Business Magazine. He has spent his life in journalism – doing work experience in newsrooms in and around Bristol while still at school, and landing his first job on a local newspaper aged 19. By 28 he was the youngest newspaper editor in the country. An early advocate of online news, he spent the first years of the 2000s telling his bosses that the internet posed both the biggest opportunity and greatest threat to the newspaper industry and the art of journalism. He was right on both counts. Since 2006 he has enjoyed a career as a freelance journalist. He lives in rural Wiltshire with one wife, two children, and three cats.