↑ Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry with the President and Vice-Chancellor.
The University has cemented its long-standing commitment to supporting economic growth in the north by becoming a Northern Powerhouse Partner. The agreement was signed during a visit by Northern Powerhouse Minister and alumnus Jake Berry (BA Law 2000) to the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), where he was taken on a tour of the Factory of the Future, Factory 2050 and its Training Centre, meeting some of the University’s engineering apprentices. He said, “From Shanghai to London, everywhere I go people are talking about the AMRC, I just had to come.”
“From Shanghai to London, everywhere I go people are talking about the AMRC.”
Professor Keith Ridgway, Executive Dean of the AMRC, commented, “Our research and innovation assets, coupled with a strong skills and talent base, are making the Sheffield City Region the go-to place for global manufacturing companies like Rolls-Royce, Boeing and McLaren. This is transforming the region into the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District of the North: the place in the UK where digital meets manufacturing.”
Apprentice of the Year
Heavy duty diesel engine builder Leigh Worsdale is proving to be an outstanding ambassador for the AMRC Training Centre. The multi-award-winning apprentice, who works at Chesterfield company Foxwood Diesel, was invited to demonstrate Industry 4.0 (the 4th Industrial Revolution) technologies at a High Value Manufacturing Catapult event at the House of Commons.
I tell people that the AMRC will give you the skills to go as far as you want to go in life.”
She is now sharing her passion for engineering with students, parents and teachers in the region: “I tell people that the AMRC will give you the skills to go as far as you want to go in life. My apprenticeship training allows me to gain real, valuable skills that are in demand from industry.” More than 1,000 young people, employed by 250 small- and medium-sized companies across the Sheffield City Region, have been trained at the AMRC Training Centre, and a sister organisation is now planned at Doncaster Sheffield Airport.