Funding brings welcome boost to technology network
A
Technology Innovation Centre product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Aug 7, 2006
The announcement of new GBP 11 million funding for the West Midlands Technology Network (WMTN) programme has been welcomed by UCE Birmingham's Technology Innovation Centre (TIC).
Recent research identified the key strengths which would help to underpin the UK manufacturing industry's progress in 21st century.
The top three benchmarks were lean manufacturing, collaboration with suppliers and conforming to ISO9000 standards.
It is against this background that the announcement of new GBP 11 million funding for the West Midlands Technology Network (WMTN) programme has been welcomed by UCE Birmingham's Technology Innovation Centre (TIC).
Through its six-strong university and college partnership, the WMTN initiative has already seen well over 550 technology-based projects carried out in support of product and market developments for West Midlands businesses.
Since phase one of the scheme began in January 2003, TIC has been a leading participant, responsible for over a fifth of completed projects.
These have formed a major proportion of the several hundred Midlands businesses TIC has helped over that period, through design and production technology-transfer, introduction of lean manufacturing and the raising of workforce skills.
Kevin Hogan, TIC's Head of Business Operations, says: "As one of WMTN's lead- partners, TIC has already delivered over 120 business assistance projects".
"We see those who have embraced technology move ahead and welcome the new funding as there's much to do for more companies".
"We're committed to supporting eligible SMEs to improve both their competitiveness and skills".
WMTN's new phase two funding comprises GBP 8.25 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and GBP 2.9 million from the European Social Fund (ESF).
This brings the two WMTN phases to a total in excess of GBP 26 million.
Phase two will see the scheme continue to assist eligible small and medium sized businesses with design, process and product development through until mid-2008.
However, from September it will also be enabled to support managers from eligible businesses to develop appropriate, higher-level vocational skills among their workforces.
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