Today I visited the National Composites Centre in Emersons Green, it is a world-leading facility which provides end-to-end engineering support for companies such as GKN, Rolls Royce, Airbus and Leonardo as well as small and medium size businesses such as LINEAT who are engaging in cutting-edge research to recycle carbon fibre.
The NCC has a great relationship with universities and developing academic knowledge and providing fantastic facilities. It enables research and knowledge to be converted into economic development.
The fantastic base of aerospace, defence and manufacturing jobs was a crucial factor in basing the NCC in the area, and is playing a key role in generating inward investment in the UK and generating economic growth and innovation.
The Catapult network of which the NCC is a part has a significant apprenticeship intake with 1000 apprentices across the network. I met Sophie who joined the NCC as an apprentice and now has a great career and is thriving. In the Autumn Statement the Chancellor invested an additional 35% in Catapult funding which will be vital in providing significant investment in skills in our area to educate and inspire young people and to generate the skills needed for an advanced, high-skill, high-wage economy.
I will be going back to the NCC soon to discuss their role in the defence industry boosting domestic defence manufacturing.
