This week saw the MTA’s annual TDI Awards Finals Day. Twelve young people competed to wow the judges with their innovative and imaginative Design and Technology projects. The standard this year was very high and some outstanding projects missed out on the prizes. You can find out more about some very special winners in the article below.
It was great to be reminded of the fantastic work that is happening in classrooms and workshops up and down the country; not least because we’ve had to report too often in the Friday Brief over the last couple of years about problems with the D&T Curriculum and the difficulties the subject is facing in schools and colleges. So it is pleasing to be able to report some definite progress, with the new Programmes of Study published this week representing a big step forward for the subject.
This morning the Business Secretary was at Goodwood for the Festival of Speed. While it is an open secret that Dr Cable is a bit of a petrol head, he had some important business to conduct; namely the launch of the Government’s Automotive Strategy. This is the latest of the Sector Strategies that are being rolled out and contains substantial investment commitments on the part of both Government and the Industry, more below.
It is essential that Strategies like the one launched today do not forget the importance of the supply chain. That’s a theme that the MTA is determined to bring through at MACH 2014 too and we’re pleased to report that the UK Manufacturing Zone, which gives British supply chain SMEs the chance to exhibit next to their blue chip customers, is proving very popular with potential exhibitors.
Staying with exhibitions we’ve also got news of a major manufacturing technologies exhibition in fast growing Mexico.
Even further afield we have the latest Market Report from the MTA’s China Representative Gordon King. The picture is mixed, with sentiment unsure about some indicators but investment in areas like automotive and infrastructure continues apace.
On the subject of indicators - a reminder that the June Business Survey is in the field now. The numbers across the UK economy, and indeed UK manufacturing, are not giving a clear steer at the moment, so it is even more important to secure reliable data about how our sector is faring.
Last but by no means least, a reminder about a couple of events happening next week. The ‘Access OEM’ seminar at JCB on the 16th July is completely sold out, and numbers are also strong for the Inter-Association Golf Day on the 17th, although we could squeeze one or two more in. If you’re booked on for the JCB event but can’t make it let us know so we can offer your place to another member.
Have a good weekend.