Advances in manufacturing mean that there is a growing demand for people highly skilled in production processes. For young people, particularly apprentices, the ability to translate digital design into real products is a sought after attribute that will develop them into world-class engineers. Harlow Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Centre, with its state-of-the-art equipment, will be a catalyst for economic growth while showing the benefits of Apprenticeships. As the Industrial Strategy identified, Apprenticeships are pivotal to building the jobs and prosperity our nation needs to compete globally.

We are very pleased to see this excellent flagship Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering Centre open in Harlow. Through these wonderful modern facilities the Centre is directly supporting training for young people and those already in employment to develop skills in a sector that has been future growth for the Essex economy. The South East LEP is pleased to have been able to support this facility through skills capital funding and welcome the opportunities this provides in inspiring young people to take up a career in this field which offers many opportunities and offers employment locally.

The Harlow Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Centre will bring great opportunities for young people to have a long and rewarding career in engineering, while also providing engineering businesses with a workforce fit for the future, bringing growth to Essex and the rest of the country. The M11 corridor is continuously developing as a nucleus for innovation, with the arrival of Public Health England and new firms moving into the Enterprise Zone in Harlow, this is another great example of this County’s ambition for our growing economy.