Work starts on Centre for Engineering Excellence

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Mar 15, 2005

Celebrated aviation engineer Ken Wallis has cut the first turf at the new GBP 4 million Centre for Engineering Excellence at Hethel, near Wymondham, Norfolk.

Celebrated aviation engineer Ken Wallis has cut the first turf at the new GBP 4 million Centre for Engineering Excellence at Hethel, near Wymondham, Norfolk.

The Norfolk Centre for Engineering Excellence will provide a unique range of facilities for startup and established engineering companies across the region.

These include a training centre, innovation and business advice sources and leading-edge engineering facilities in addition to business incubator units.

It is being hailed as an imaginative solution to the provision of a "one stop shop" for business and innovation support services across the sector.

The centre, the first of its kind in the UK, will be owned by Norfolk County Council in partnership with East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and other major business support organisations.

Due to open in January 2006, the single-storey building will house offices and workshops on "easy-let" terms, training, conference and networking spaces appealing to startup and established businesses in engineering and manufacturing.

The centre will also welcome visiting lecturers, specialist training providers and leading exponents of engineering as well as business support.

Guest of honour Wing Cdr Ken Wallis, who cut the first turf, said: "Engineering in all forms has been my lifelong passion and my career".

"This is a welcome initiative which I am sure will encourage, support and stimulate the engineering sector in this region".

Tony Tomkinson, Norfolk County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for Economic Development, said: "The engineering sector is a vibrant and important part of the local economy with some real jewels admired the world over".

"This new venture in business development and support is an exciting demonstration of our commitment to this sector".

"I am sure that in future we will look back on this as a significant milestone in its growth".

Professor Tim Wilson, Board member, East of England Development Agency and its representative on the S and IC board said: "The centre supports one of the East of England's key clusters of excellence, namely motor sports, and forms one of a network of enterprise 'hubs' attracting EEDA investment".

"These aim to bring together like-minded knowledge-based businesses small and large, specialist industry training, advice and business support services under one roof and to link them in to an innovation support network".

"We are therefore delighted to be a key strategic funding partner and look forward to seeing the long-term results".

David Taitt, Chairman, Centre for Engineering Excellence said: "Engineering underpins wealth creation in the UK".

"This is a visionary step and a major commitment by the partners in this venture".

"As an engineer myself I'm delighted to be able to play a part in making this new centre the success it deserves to be".

While the centre is under construction, the partners and centre management will be working to put in place a comprehensive programme of training provision and negotiating with potential tenants.