First Minister Humza Yousaf visited Renfrewshire to open a new skills academy which is trying to provide a major stimulus for the country’s economy.
The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) Manufacturing Skills Academy will, going forward, aim to catalyse economic growth and skills development.
The 11,500 metre-squared carbon-neutral campus at Inchinnan will support advanced manufacturing, engineering and associated technology businesses of all sizes, while innovative research and development will help to improve productivity, embrace new technologies and meet net-zero targets.
It features a food and drink cyber-physical demonstrator, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) connected shop floor, a factory command centre, and a hub dedicated to helping manufacturers embrace the circular economy and extend the life of their products and systems.
It’s hoped it will help manufacturers improve their products and processes in the drive towards a net-zero economy, while still increasing productivity.
Speaking at the opening on Tuesday, First Minister Yousaf said: “The opening of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland is an exciting moment – it will ensure that Scotland’s long history of innovation and engineering continues, and also supports our drive to net zero.
“Scotland is one of the most innovative nations in the world. By bringing together research, industry and the public sector, this facility will allow companies of all sizes to embrace creative manufacturing techniques and support cutting-edge research.
“Manufacturing is critical to our long-term economic recovery and this centre, which the Scottish Government provided funding of £75 million towards, will support that. We are publishing the first annual progress report on our national strategy for economic transformation.
“NMIS is a tangible example of the partnership working it promotes, showing our commitment to delivering for both business and people.”
Chris Courtney, CEO of NMIS, said: “A facility of this scale and ambition doesn’t happen by chance. Thank you to our colleagues and partners, who have worked together tirelessly for many years to make it a reality.
“It’s been a truly collaborative effort – from creating a shared vision of NMIS to delivering our world-class new building.
“We now move into a phase of delivering on those ambitions through intense collaboration with industry and providing innovative solutions to their most challenging problems.”
Mr Courtney added: “Scotland has a strong manufacturing sector – supporting world-renowned capabilities in the maritime industry, renewable energies, food and drink, the satellites and space industry and many others.
“We also benefit from world-leading universities and a growing number of ambitious technology entrepreneurs. NMIS can play a crucial role in harnessing this potential to impact what we make and how we make it more sustainably and efficiently.
“There is a real industrial demand for greener, innovative technology solutions that harness the power of digitalisation, along with the future skills that we all need to thrive.
“We will work with our industry partners, talented team and the wider ecosystem to deliver this brighter manufacturing future.”
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