AME hosts historic ‘devolution’ deal for the West Midlands

The Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering’s impressive manufacturing hub in Coventry was the venue for the signing of an historic ‘devolution’ deal for the West Midlands.

Members of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) met with Chancellor George Osborne and Business Secretary Sajid Javid to pledge their support to an agreement that will unlock £1bn in Government investment and result in the appointment of a metro-mayor.

AME was chosen to host the landmark announcement after it impressed the Government with its ability to bring together industry and academia to introduce the UK’s first ‘Faculty on the Floor’.

Speaking at the launch, Carl Perrin, Director of AME said:

“We are a great example of how collaboration can make a real difference to the West Midlands and the UK, with Unipart Manufacturing and Coventry University coming together to change the way we train the manufacturing graduates of the future and deliver new technology to industry.

“By working in partnership, we have created the UK’s First ‘Faculty on the Factory Floor’, where 60 students are now working towards their degrees and pioneering R&D work has been matured to commercial reality, already creating tens of new jobs in the region.

“Along the way, AME has received significant support from Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership in turning our exciting vision into reality and we believe the closer Government and the local authorities can all work together the better.

“We have some major regional strengths to build on and exploit and we look forward to playing our role in accelerating our advanced manufacturing capabilities and ensuring young people have the chance to learn in a world class environment that is getting them ready for industry life.”