Cable visiting Burnley College

The Secretary of State for Business Vince Cable is due to visit Burnley College on Monday, as part of a drive to promote manufacturing in the North West.

Cable will give a keynote speech about the needs of creating the right environment for manufacturing in the region, before answering questions from local business leaders, councillors, students and teachers.

His visit takes place as plans for a 30,000 sq ft incubation centre for Burnley College and the University of Central Lancashire aimed at the advanced manufacturing sector on Princess Way are well underway.

The enterprise and education centre will be the first of a set of new buildings on the five-acre Knowledge Quarter site, which could total 130,000 sq ft aimed at the private sector.

The UK Manufacturing Dialogue: North West Summit at Burnley College on 20 June is being hosted by local member of parliament, Gordon Birtwistle.

Birtwistle said: "This is not the first time that Vince Cable has been to Burnley, but on this occasion I will be able to show him the fantastic work being carried out by the college and introduce him to some of the apprentices who are working hard there to gain important skills for the future.

"I am excited to be able to show the Business Secretary the full strength of manufacturing in Lancashire and hope that there will be a good turnout from local firms as we have a lot to be proud of in Burnley. For a small town we have a huge manufacturing output and I am looking forward to hearing from delegates at the conference how we can improve the manufacturing sector even more."

The summit will form part of the Dods UK Manufacturing Dialogue, a year long programme of research and engagement that brings together manufacturing companies including Boeing UK, General Motors and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Philip Eisenhart, programme director, added: "The initiative will incorporate research and analysis from across the sector in order to recognise and reflect on the issues whilst highlighting how the government can support and encourage growth as a major part of the UK economy.

"Our research has shown that 57% of manufacturing leaders and 36% of MPs think that improving the image of manufacturing is the most important factor in reducing the UK's skills deficit. Burnley College serves as a shining example of how this generation of young people have the talent and ability to continue to drive the UK sector from strength to strength as the 7th largest manufacturer in the world."

The half day event starts from 10am and is aimed at people from across the North West who have an involvement or interest in the future of manufacturing in the region.

As well as the sessions on skills, and finance, trade and export, the event will be host to local and national manufacturers in an exhibition open to delegates and students of the college.

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