Each day The Manufacturer compiles the top manufacturing news stories from around the web. To make your life a little easier, we trawl through all the major trade publications, broadsheets and business magazines to find you the most important manufacturing news each morning. Don't forget to bookmark this page and check back daily.
Rishi Sunak announces full apprenticeship funding for small businesses
In a speech yesterday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the government will fully fund small business apprenticeships from 1 April this year by paying the full cost of training for anyone up to the age of 21. The move is designed to reduce some of the costs associated with taking on apprentices and provide more opportunities for young people to kick start their careers. More via The Manufacturer
Tata Steel announces closure of Port Talbot coke ovens
Tata Steel has announced the coke ovens at its giant plant in south Wales will close on Wednesday over concerns about their “operational stability”.
The Community union called it “a massive blow” while Unite said it was the “result of years of betrayal”. More via BBC News
New concrete batching plant marks major step in £18.5m scheme
As part of its major investment project at its Burton on Trent tile plant Russell Roof Tiles is installing state-of-the-art equipment which will support the firm’s net zero ambitions. More via The Manufacturer
Leonardo and University of Lincoln celebrate new partnership
VIP guests, customers and Leonardo colleagues gathered at the Leonardo Training Academy in Lincoln last week, to celebrate the launch of a new partnership between Leonardo and the University of Lincoln.
The new Military Electronic Mission Protection (MEMP) course sees Leonardo and University of Lincoln come together to provide selected international students the accredited skills in mission data analytics to protect aircraft and their crews from ground-based and airborne threats. More via Leonardo
Bentley Motors announces third edition of Extraordinary Women Initiative for 2024
Bentley Motors has announced the launch of the third edition of its Extraordinary Women mentorship programme. Designed to encourage and develop the next generation of young female leaders, this year the initiative will involve students, universities and inspirational female Pioneers from the United Kingdom and Qatar. More via Bentley Motors
Number of growing UK sectors hits 10 month high
The number of UK sectors reporting output growth hit a 10-month high in February, with companies indicating rising demand and spreading business optimism, according to the latest Lloyds Bank UK Sector Tracker.
In February, 10 of the 14 UK sectors monitored by the tracker reported output growth. This was two more than in January (eight), the most since April 2023 (ten), and pointed to a broadening out of expansion across the UK economy, which is good news for manufacturing. More via The Manufacturer
New funding to support research technical professionals
Community groups working to support technical and research software roles are set to benefit from a share of a new £16 million investment. The investment is by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Digital Research Infrastructure (DRI). More via UK Research and Innovation
HIA Milestone Delivery Report lists critical next steps for UK to be leader in global hydrogen aviation race
The Hydrogen in Aviation alliance (HIA), formed of easyJet, Rolls-Royce, Airbus, Ørsted, GKN Aerospace, Bristol Airport and ZeroAvia, has today released its Milestone Delivery Report – outlining the steps and timeline the UK Government and industry needs to follow to secure its position as a global leader in hydrogen-powered aviation. More via Airbus
