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Nine bids made by industry in Round One-
-NATEP will innovate technologies for new products or manufacturing processes –
-Welsh Government now supporting Wales businesses in participating in NATEP-
The National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP) has today announced a second round of bidding will open for Aerospace suppliers in January 2014. The announcement, made by the Secretary of State for Wales, Rt. Hon David Jones MP, will allow more companies to apply for a share of the £40m funding pot to help innovate technologies for new products or manufacturing processes over the next four years. The Programme is designed to create or retain 1,200 jobs in this valuable supply chain, supporting the aims of the Aerospace Growth Partnership to maintain the UK’s global position in the Aerospace market.
Speaking at a networking event hosted by Aerospace trade organisation, ADS Group in Toulouse, which each year brings together captains of industry and other key dignitaries, Secretary of State for Wales, David Jones commented:
“Today’s announcement is testament to the commitment this Government has to making Britain the best place in the world for Aerospace businesses.
“In Wales, the Aerospace sector is a huge regional employer, and is a significant contributor in our local economies. Whether it’s a company on the scale of the impressive Airbus facility in north Wales, or one of the smaller companies playing a vital role in the Aerospace supply chain, each and every one are valuable regional sources of strength and growth in our country.
“The global Aerospace market is one that is constantly evolving, and is one that this Government is fully behind. I would encourage businesses to take advantage of this new opportunity to get the additional support they need to help the UK to maintain its world leading position in this very important sector.”
NATEP funding will now be available to Wales’s Aerospace suppliers following a commitment from the Welsh Government to join England and Northern Ireland in actively supporting Aerospace supply chain businesses in participating in NATEP projects.
Bids with a value of £1.2million have already been submitted since the joint industry and Government funded programme was launched at the Paris Airshow in June. The nine bids, which have been made in the first round of funding applications, have been put forward by a total of 23 companies up and down the country, demonstrating the appetite from industry for the programme. The successful round one bids will be announced in January 2014.
NATEP, which is based on the proven Midlands Aerospace Alliance Aerospace Technology Programme model, has also recently appointed Dave Dawson as the new full time Programme Director.
Speaking about the programme, Dave Dawson commented:
“The importance of this programme is clear from the quick uptake from industry. It’s an exciting start and the bids that have been put forward so far demonstrate the innovative nature of the UK’s Aerospace sector, and its determination to stay ahead of the competition in an increasingly challenging global market.
“This initial round of bids could support the creation or retention of up to 150 jobs in the sector and I am pleased to be joining the NATEP as work gets underway to prepare for a second round of bidding which will provide an opportunity for event more Aerospace businesses to benefit from this valuable fund.”
The Programme will help mini-consortia of smaller supply chain companies work with research bodies to develop new technologies, putting them in a competitive position to win future contracts. The Programme supports the ambition of the Aerospace Growth Partnership to maintain the UK’s world leading position in the Aerospace sector as second only to the US and the biggest in Europe. It will support companies at all levels of the supply chain in broadening and diversifying their customer base.
NATEP will be managed by Aerospace trade organisation, ADS and delivered across the English regions by the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium, Midlands Aerospace Alliance, North West Aerospace Alliance, and West of England Aerospace Forum. The Programme will also be supported in Northern Ireland and Wales by the devolved governments and ADS Northern Ireland and Aerospace Wales respectively.
For more information or if you have a project that you think could benefit then please contact Barry Warburton on barry@weaf.co.uk or telephone 01275 872353