New manufacturing and engineering facility set for official opening

The £1million Advanced Manufacturing and Automation Centre (AMAC), in Harwood Street, Blackburn, will be opened by guests of honour Edwin Booth, Chair of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, and David Bailey, CEO of the North West Aerospace Alliance, on September 9.

Guests at the opening event will experience the AMAC first-hand, view demonstrations and take a tour around the facility, learning more about the high level technologies which are at the forefront of today’s manufacturing and engineering industry along with the wealth of opportunities available to businesses and individuals across the North West and beyond.

The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership has invested £800,000 towards the cost of the facility operated by Training 2000, as part of a £30m Growth Deal Skills Capital Programme to improve the skills of thousands of people in a number of key sectors of Lancashire’s economy.

It will enable more than 250 local people to study for Higher Engineering Apprenticeships and take part in upskilling programmes over its first two years of operation. Successful apprentices will have the opportunity to continue their studies up to degree level.

Including advanced equipment alongside a dynamic team of trainers recruited directly from industry, the AMAC provides a truly unique facility which enhances the skills of engineers and manufacturers through powerful, bespoke training.

Steve Gray, Training 2000 CEO, said: “The AMAC provides a unique environment right at the heart of Lancashire which builds on the county’s rich heritage within engineering and manufacturing.”

“By upskilling both the current and next generation of engineers and manufacturers on cutting-edge equipment, we’re helping companies develop the employees they need to drive productivity and growth.”

“It’s exciting that we have been able to complement our key strength as an excellent engineering training provider with this technologically advanced manufacturing and automation centre, and I’m sure that businesses across the North West will be impressed at what the AMAC has to offer.”

Graham Cowley, Chair of the LEP’s Growth Deal Management Board, said: “Improving the skills of Lancashire’s workforce in key sectors of the economy is an important part of the LEP’s ambitious strategic programme to transform the county and drive economic growth over the next decade.”

“The LEP is funding a network of new, modern training facilities all across Lancashire which will improve the employability of thousands of local people over the coming years. We have committed to supporting 15 new training facilities via Growth Deal Skills Capital funding, of which the AMAC in Blackburn is the second to be completed.”

“Along with other training centres we are funding, this new facility will help provide the skilled workforce that Lancashire needs to maintain its position as the UK’s leading region for aerospace and advanced manufacturing for years to come.”