Engineering apprenticeship training provider MTC Training has signed a partnership agreement with Next Gen Makers in a move that will help engineering firms to future-proof skills. MTC Training – with training centres in Coventry, Liverpool and Culham’s OAS – has now become an ‘Educational Partner’ of Next Gen Makers. Its mission is to create the next generation of engineering talent while upskilling and reskilling existing workforces, ensuring UK manufacturing businesses have the skilled employees they need to continue making the country’s manufacturing industry globally competitive.

More information www.nextgenmakers.co.uk

A South Yorkshire manufacturer and supplier of drill bits, power tool accessories and tools has become an employee-owned business. Sheffield-based Armeg Ltd, established in 1973,

has been sold to the newly formed Armeg Employee Ownership Trust. The move is set to enable the company’s 55 employees to share directly in the company’s success and future growth strategy. It is important to point out that, despite the change, it is business as usual for the firm. Chartered accountancy firm, Shorts, advised on corporate finance and tax matters relating to the transition.

More information www.shorts.uk.com

Nearly 85% of SME manufacturers are crying out for more government funding to help them bridge the digitals skills divide, says a new report by Oxford Innovation Advice. The report reveals that 80% of companies are looking to digitally upskill their staff but cite the biggest barriers as cost and a lack of in-house knowledge.

Some 68% of the 239 participants are planning to invest in digital technologies, meaning there is a massive opportunity for the new Labour administration to deliver more specialist support. Oxford Innovation Advice has developed a five-point policy action plan that it plans to submit to Government.

Download the report at www.bit.ly/4huBLWF