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9 November 2011
More Funding & Assistance for Manufacturers
The regional Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) agencies are about to undergo a major transformation to become a new nationally operated service that will focus on helping small and medium sized manufacturers to grow.
The new service will be delivered by the Manufacturing Advisory Consortium (MAC), with plans to help create an estimated £1.5bn in economic growth, 23,000 jobs and safeguard 50,000 jobs.
MAS will continue to deliver a national service to all manufacturing businesses in England, but the new consortium means that there will be a specific focus on:
- driving business growth through strategic and technical support for SMEs developing advanced manufacturing capabilities and creating high value jobs;
- enabling business improvement with manufacturers operating in global supply chains; and
- linking SMEs with the apprenticeship programme delivering a minimum of 1,250 engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships annually.
The new national scheme will officially commence from the 1st April 2012, with MAS offering the similar tiers of intervention as already seen in some regions in England, with the potential to provide up to £10,000 (or 50% maximum) for a strategic change to the business.
For more help and advice on obtaining assistance from the Manufacturing Advisory Service, please contact the CE Marking Association on 01527 595066.
Excerpts have been taken from the MAS Press Release
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