Industry and Government partnership boosts Defence sector
The Defence Growth Partnership (DGP) has today published ‘Customer Ready’ – a comprehensive overview of the joint work between government and industry to increase exports, boost productivity, encourage innovation and develop skills in the UK’s defence sector.
- ‘Customer Ready’ document highlights Defence Growth Partnership’s successes
- Launch of £10 million fund to develop dual-use technologies
- 90 students signed up to first ever Masters Level standard apprenticeship in the UK
- First winners of £10 million ‘DGP Innovation Challenge’ announced
Backed by Defence Secretary Michael Fallon and Business Secretary Sajid Javid and companies at all levels of the industrial value chain in the UK, the publication of the document coincides with the start of the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) event - a world leading exhibition bringing together senior trade and military experts from across the supply chain in London.
The DGP has also made the following associated announcements:
- A new £10 million jointly funded project between government and industry will back the best new technologies and research that can have a “dual use” in defence and civil sector businesses. The Dual Use Technology Exploitation (DUTE) innovation cluster will help boost growth by linking UK manufacturers particularly SMEs, from the civil and defence sectors to draw on the best technologies of both to deliver game-changing solutions for customers. It is expected to create 140 jobs across 15 partners up to 2019.
- 90 students from 20 organisations have now signed up to begin studying for the new Systems Engineering Master’s Apprenticeship Programme (SEMAP) which will start in January 2016. As the first ever Masters level standard apprenticeship in the UK, SEMAP is attracting new graduates to the industry as well as up-skilling the existing workforce.
- First set of winners of a £10 million DGP Innovation Challenge to provide cutting-edge ideas and technologies to meet 21st Century global defence needs will be announced at DSEI.
Business Minister Anna Soubry, Co-chair of the Defence Growth Partnership, said:
“The UK defence industry is a world leader. It is essential to our national security and makes a big contribution to the UK economy, employing thousands of scientists, engineers, apprentices and manufacturers. The Government is continuing to work alongside industry through the Defence Growth Partnership to keep the UK at the forefront of what is an extremely competitive market. Supporting skills, innovation and new technology will help maximise opportunities for British businesses of all sizes.”
Minister for Defence Procurement Philip Dunne said:
“Today’s launch of ‘Customer Ready’ demonstrates that the UK defence industry is open for business. The UK has a highly competitive and innovative defence supply-chain, with world leading suppliers both large and small who through the Defence Growth Partnership are working together to respond to the defence challenges we face both now and in the future. I am pleased at the progress the DGP has made to ensure the UK retains a vibrant, competitive and strong defence sector able to respond to customer needs both in the UK and overseas.”
Steve Wadey, Co-chair of the Defence Growth Partnership said:
“I am delighted to be presenting the progress achieved by this dynamic and collaborative partnership to customers and industry at DSEI.
“As is clear from the announcements being made today and the successes outlined in ‘Customer Ready,’ the DGP has moved from strategy to implementation, and now delivery. Through this partnership, Government and Industry are working together in the international marketplace to meet the needs of customers around the globe and deliver a competitive and sustainable future for the UK’s Defence Sector.”
For the full DGP video, click here.