Ford’s UK-based apprentices involved in the design, development and production of high-technology engines have supported the launch of government’s ‘Make it in Great Britain’ initiative, which aims to transform the image of UK manufacturing and raise awareness of its importance to the economy.
The apprentices, working through the four-year in-house apprenticeship programme are based at Ford’s diesel engine production plant at Dagenham and at Ford Bridgend in Wales, home of the EcoBoost petrol engine production.
Business Secretary, Vince Cable, and Business Minister, Mark Prisk, launched the campaign at the Department for Business, Innovations and Skills, where industry experts, apprentices and prospective future engineers met to discuss modern manufacturing and careers.
“Manufacturing is our most exportable sector and is at the heart of our long term economic vision,” said Business Secretary, Vince Cable. “We have outstanding manufacturing companies, both large and small and today I want to call on them to join us in being part of the ‘Make it in Great Britain’ campaign.”
Speaking in support of the campaign, Joe Greenwell, Ford of Britain Chairman, said, “I am very happy to represent Ford during the government’s ‘Make it in Great Britain’ campaign. Ford has a strong manufacturing reputation in the UK and today builds nearly two million engines annually at our Bridgend and Dagenham engine plants, 30,000 Ford Transit Vans at Southampton, and over 500,000 transmissions at Halewood transmission plant, as part of the Getrag-Ford joint venture.”
The government initiative includes a specific element, the ‘Make it in Great Britain’ Challenge, which focuses on new innovations yet to be brought to market. The campaign will culminate at the Science Museum during the Olympic Games in 2012.
Building on the success of the ‘See Inside Manufacturing’ initiative that launched earlier this year, the exhibition will celebrate the achievements of the nation’s manufacturing industries and will aim to encourage young people to consider careers in industry.
Follow the links below for more information about:
- The ‘Make it in Great Britain’ campaign
- The ‘See Inside Manufacturing’ initiative
- Stats and facts about the UK automotive industry
