EU Boost for Advanced Engineering in Wales

A new £14m project to develop the next generation of leaders within Wales’ engineering sector has been announced by Finance Minister, Jane Hutt at Swansea University. Backed by £8.6m of EU funds, Swansea University’s Materials and Manufacturing Academy will provide training in specialist technical and management skills for both full time students and people currently employed in the engineering sector.

Businesses participating in the scheme, including TATA Steel, BASF, Royal Mint and Weartech International, will be actively involved in the programme by formulating research projects based on the technological developments taking place within their industries.

The programme will also utilise the University’s new Advanced Imaging of Materials (AIM) facility, a scientific imaging facility unique in Europe.

‌Announcing funding for the project at at Swansea University’s new Bay Campus, Finance Minister, Jane Hutt, said: “Advanced engineering is a very important sector within our economy, so it’s excellent news that over £8m of EU funds are being invested to ensure that Wales has outstanding leaders in this industry now and in the future.

“EU investment was also crucial to the development of the new Bay Campus, and I’m delighted that the people taking part in this project will benefit from the world class facilities within the Engineering Manufacturing Centre.”

The £450m Bay Campus opened its doors to 5,000 students in September after securing £100m of EU investment, and aims to generate around £3 billion of economic impact in the Swansea Bay region over the next ten years.

In addition to the EU investment, the project will also be financed by the participating businesses, Swansea University and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.