ONLY CONNECT!

I was at the Knowledge Transfer Centre at the Advanced Manufacturing Park this morning to meet with Alison Bettac, Director of Training at the AMRC (Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre), Ian Chowcat, Project Lead for the Sheffield UTC, Stephen Anderson from Sheffield College and Nick Duggan from Sheffield's 14 - 19 team.

We were discussing how we work together to map out and publicise the routes and pathways available for young people with the establishment of the Cutlers' Project, the new UTC (University Technology College) and the AMRC. We need a coherent vision for the future showing young people and their parents and carers the brilliant opportunities that exist in advanced manufacturing, digital and creative media and other sectors and how young people can make the right choices and find pathways to employability and success.

Sheffield City Region is leading the way with advanced manufacturing and the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) is an extraordinary place; the UK’s premier advanced manufacturing technology park, providing world-class advanced manufacturing technology solutions. Technologies on the AMP centre on materials and structures, covering metallic and composite materials; typically used in precision industries including; aerospace, automotive, medical devices, sport, environmental and energy, oil and gas, defence and construction. Technology developed on the AMP is already being utilised in leading edge projects, such as within Formula One and the next generation of military and commercial aircraft, including the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The AMP is home to world-class research and manufacturing organisations, such as; the University of Sheffield's AMRC with Boeing; Rolls Royce; Castings Technology International (Cti); Dormer Tools, TWI’s Yorkshire Technology Centre and the new Nuclear AMRC.