Hi tech skills
Business Secretary Vince Cable visited hi tech college facilities and met with innovative manufacturers during a tour of the West Midlands.
He said specialised skills - and the provision of modern facilities to teach these skills - will be vital for economic growth, particularly in the regions.
Hi tech skills at college
At Birmingham Metropolitan College Dr Cable met with the first students to study at the Samsung Digital Service Academy.
The Academy, which opened in April 2010, trains engineers from across the UK as part of their vocational qualifications in 3D and wireless technology.
Dr Cable said: “It is great to see a college such as Birmingham Metropolitan hosting such hi-tech and productive training centres. Examples like this underline the importance of the Government offering its support.
“The growth sectors that require highly specialised skills have to be matched with support for their training needs.”
Dr Cable also saw the BSkyB training facility and met apprentices training in aerial installation. He then took a tour of the new medical laboratories which train apprentices as laboratory technicians and dental nurses.
Manufacturing technologies
Earlier in the day Dr Cable and Business Minister Mark Prisk toured the stands at the MACH2010 manufacturing technologies event at the NEC in Birmingham.
They also held round table discussions with members of the Manufacturing Technologies Association.