Skills support for UK manufacturers

The

(NMSA), a central part of the government's skills strategy, will be launched tomorrow. It is one of the first National Skills Academies to be approved by the

(DfES) and will focus on meeting the skills needs of large and small employers from the manufacturing sector.

SEMTA, the Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, is leading the NMSA on behalf of and with the full participation of the manufacturing and technologies sectors.

The NMSA is a national model for the delivery of training and education within the sectors, including the development of content and validation of trainers and assessors. All product and service offerings will be aligned with globally competitive standards and the recommendations contained in the SEMTA Sector Skills Agreement.

'The launch of the NMSA for the manufacturing sectors is a huge step forward,’ said Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) chief executive Christopher Macgowan. ‘First and foremost it will put the development of our people at the very top of the agenda. Secondly, it will enable a wide range of manufacturing sectors to work together and pool resources and expertise. It will also enable all companies, especially SMEs, quickly to assess and choose the training and skills development programmes most suited to the needs of their workforce.'