Weekly News Bulletin – 6th October 2017

This week we shared news that a number of engineering entrepreneurs have been shortlisted in the search for the UK’s most promising entrepreneur after inventing a tool for automating complex manufacturing.

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce has revealed that more than 23,000 new private sector jobs were created in Birmingham in 2016, which is a 3.2% rise. On the other hand, we saw reports that the UK construction sector dropped during September, which is accredited to the decrease in new work orders and the rise in costs.

There was also positive news on Chancellor Philip Hammond pledging £300m to improve connections between cities in the north that are not directly on the HS2 high speed rail line. We will keep you updated when we know more.

The Construction Enquirer reported on how 89% of members of the Home Builders Federation (HBF) trade body voted against Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to continue raising a training levy. This is in contrast with news shared last week, where 96% of the trade federation members, which represents 40 per cent of UK construction, voted in support of the CITB.

We shared that the UK head of manufacturing for Lloyds Bank, Dave Atkinson, will be guest speaker at the next Black Country Diners Club networking lunch. This will be held on Tuesday, October 24 in the Hayward Suite at Molineux Stadium, Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton, from 11.45am. Will you be attending?

There was news that plans have been submitted for a £350m regeneration scheme in Leeds city centre. This includes a hybrid planning application that seeks to build office developments with retail and leisure. Another regeneration project we reported on this week was the former BBC’s Pebble Mill, a 27 acre site, which is in its final stages. With regeneration happening across the country, we are excited to see the progression if this goes ahead.

We also shared ITV’s news that the government is planning to create 3 million apprenticeships by 2020. Here at Metsec, we value our apprentices in the business and work to give them hands on experience.

Insider Media Limited shared that The Manufacturing Growth Network has been launched, where businesses compete quarterly with a league table reporting their performance. Let us know if you’ll be entering!

For your weekly news update please follow us on Facebook (MetsecUK), Twitter (@MetsecUK) & LinkedIn (voestalpine Metsec plc)

Visit www.metsec.com.

Young engineers highlighted as UK’s most promising entrepreneurs

The inventor of a tool for automating complex manufacturing was among the finalists in a search for the UK’s most promising entrepreneur.
http://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/young-engineers-highlighted-as-uk-s-most-promising-entrepreneurs

Region celebrates strong job creation figures

More than 23,000 new private sectors jobs were created across the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) area during 2016.
https://www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com/latest-news/news/2017/10/3/region-celebrates-strong-job-creation-figures/

UK construction sector slips in September what does it mean and what happens next?

The latest IHS Markit/CIPS Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) reveals a difficult time for the construction industry throughout September 2017.
http://www.londonlovesbusiness.com/business-news/uk-construction-sector-slips-in-september-what-does-it-mean-and-what-happens-next/18041.article

Chancellor unveils extra £400m for transport in North

Chancellor Philip Hammond will unveil an extra £400m for transport links in the Northern Powerhouse today.
http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/10/02/chancellor-unveils-extra-400m-for-transport-in-north/

House builders vote to end CITB levy

The country’s house builders have returned a resounding no vote to allowing the CITB to continue raising a training levy.
http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/10/02/house-builders-vote-to-end-citb-levy/

£350m Leeds city centre plans go in

The developer behind the £400m Kirkstall Forge scheme in Leeds has drawn up plans for another £350m regeneration scheme in the city.
http://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/350m-leeds-city-centre-plans-go-in

Dramatic increase in apprenticeships across the South West

With tuition fees rising by the thousands, the appeal to go to university and end up with more than £40,000 debt is diminishing.
http://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2017-10-03/dramatic-increase-in-apprenticeships-across-the-south-west/

New additions to Pebble Mill development

The regeneration of Pebble Mill – the 27-acre site which was home to the former BBC broadcasting centre – is reaching its final stages, with plans to create a new food and drink development.
https://www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com/latest-news/news/2017/10/5/new-additions-to-pebble-mill-development/

Launch of rebranded manufacturing growth network

The Manufacturing Growth Network, a new initiative which is a rebrand and refocus of the former EY Manufacturers’ League, has been launched.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/northeast/launch-of-rebranded-manufacturing-growth-network

Manufacturing head to speak at lunch

The UK head of manufacturing for Lloyds Bank, Dave Atkinson, will be guest speaker at the next Black Country Diners Club networking lunch.
https://www.expressandstar.com/news/business/business-events/2017/10/04/manufacturing-head-to-speak-at-lunch/