Top Business Award Shortlist for MIRA Technology Institute
The organisers of an industry awards scheme designed to recognise high quality training and apprenticeships for the manufacturing sector has shortlisted the MIRA Technology Institute (MTI). The MTI has reached the finals of the Made in the Midlands awards.
Now in its twelfth year, the scheme regularly attracts entries from more than 70 companies and the final is due to be hosted on Thursday 26 May 2022 at the Macdonald Burlington Hotel in Birmingham.
The MTI is an innovative collaboration between education and industry designed to address skills shortages in disruptive technologies associated with connected and autonomous vehicles and electric cars. It supports apprentices working for manufacturers including Polestar, Triumph Motorcycles Ltd and Envisage Group Ltd.
Marion Plant, OBE FCGI, Chair of the MTI Operations Board. and Principal and Chief Executive of North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College said, “We’re delighted to have reached the shortlist for these special awards. The MIRA Technology Institute was developed to provide an innovative solution to the problem of skills shortages within the rapidly changing automotive manufacturing sector and is now helping it to adapt and respond to post-pandemic challenges.
“Working with our partners in further and higher education, the MTI offers a full spectrum of training opportunities from apprenticeships to bespoke and commercial courses for businesses from across the sector, from SMEs to large organisations.
“The MTI provides access to a unique skills escalator, enabling progress to higher and degree level apprenticeships and beyond. This means that, for the first time, individuals can start an apprenticeship at Level 2 or above and progress to PhD level with the same training partnership.
“As a dedicated resource for the automotive industry, the training is highly relevant and can be accessed by the full range and size of businesses within the sector from Tier 1 automotive businesses within the supply chain to major international corporates.”
Lisa Bingley, MTI Director of Operations said, “The automotive sector is facing challenges that it has never encountered before with the increasing pace of electric vehicle rollout, and the impact of rising costs, supply chain issues and the pandemic. Our role is to help ensure that the sector has access to the skills its workforce needs now and is able to reinforce these skills to ensure its resilience in the future.”
Marion Plant added, “As lead partner in the development of the MTI, we’re proud to have been recognised in this way as part of the Made in the Midlands Awards and are confident that we can progress further in the competition.”