Former Airbus specialist selected to lead new £18m training centre

Posted on 11 Dec 2014 by The Manufacturer

A past Airbus and BAE specialist has been chosen to lead the new £18m training centre at Coventry’s Manufacturing Technology Centre.

John Male has been appointed managing director of the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre which is being built at Ansty Park.

Having worked at Airbus as a production team leader and then training manager, Male has more than 30 years’ experience working in learning and organisational advancement in industry and has been responsible for training and development at manufacturing locations across the UK.

Before becoming head of capability, Male held several senior positions within BAE Systems, leading the development of air systems learning for 10,000 employees across four sites. He also led the implementation of the National Skills Academies for BAE Systems.

Male said: “I am honoured and excited to lead the creation of what will be a flagship training centre for high value manufacturing. As manufacturing technology advances the centre will be at the forefront of developing the skills and knowledge required to meet the challenges faced by the sector.”

The MTC was also named one of the top 100 apprentice employers in the country having recently taken on 40 new apprentices employed on the centre’s High Value Manufacturing Technician programme.

The new Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre will make a considerable contribution towards solving the skills shortages which have been dominant in manufacturing for many years. It has been welcomed by both the Prime Minister David Cameron and Business Secretary Vince Cable.

Apprentices will learn the latest technology in areas such as intelligent automation, additive layer manufacture, laser machining and welding. They will be able to test and develop their skills in sponsored placements, including the opportunity to undertake international assignments. The building will be a flagship facility for this advanced apprenticeship programme.

The training centre is part of a £90m expansion plan for the MTC and is the beginning of a strategy to establish cultural changes in developing the skills and processes needed for future UK manufacturing.

MTC chief executive Clive Hickman said: “The new training centre will create vital skills, developing the next generation of manufacturing engineers and technicians. The skills shortage has been an ongoing issue for manufacturing.

“Many small and medium-sized companies simply cannot afford the four year investment costs of apprentices, and fully skilled workers are attracted by the larger players – often at salaries that smaller companies simply can’t match. Our plan is help SMEs by offering apprenticeships which are cost-effective and provide value.”