The project, supported by £20m of government funding, is set to enable research and testing on connected and autonomous vehicles that will transform the future of transport.
The scheme will provide access to 50 miles of existing roads throughout the West Midlands enabling the development of technologies that will improve journeys and accelerate innovative transport solutions. As the project gets underway, it is expected to give rise to a demand for new skills within the automotive sector.
Lisa Bingley, Director of Operations for the MTI, said, “Midlands Future Mobility will enable new technologies to be developed that transform the face of transportation. As cars increasingly become connected, they can supply data that will inform improvements to road conditions, enable better integration with rail and bus transport, and help to improve traffic congestion.
“The project provides a platform for testing new types of vehicles, including driverless cars, and the live environment means that manufacturers will be able to get a clearer picture of how well these vehicles can navigate real-world obstacles.
“Testing and rolling out this kind of technology calls for a whole new portfolio of skills within the automotive sector workforce. What’s more, the pace of change is so rapid, we don’t yet know what all of those skills requirements will be.”
The MTI has been set up to help the sector sharpen its skills to take advantage of projects like Midlands Future Mobility which will ultimately boost productivity as part of the Government’s Industrial Strategy.
Built with £9.5m investment from the Government’s Local Growth Fund via the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP), the MTI is a 24,500 sq. ft specialist facility on the MIRA Technology Park near Hinckley and Nuneaton.
Kevin Harris, Chair of the LLEP commented, “Following our skills research it was clear that the demand for skills will very quickly outstrip the supply. By funding the development of MIRA Technology Institute, the LLEP has provided a key asset for the automotive industry to train the future workforce and keep up with the skills needed to meet the rapid developments in this key growth sector.”
Formed through a partnership between industry and education, led by North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College, 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.
This cutting-edge resource will help to create specialist skills in some of the new disruptive technology areas including electrification and driverless cars, ensuring a sustainable supply of future technical specialists and engineers.
Lisa said, “The MTI website shows only the opening curriculum offer. The ethos of the centre is built upon delivering training in the specific skills that businesses need in this sector, so we are very much relying on them to come forward and tell us what would help their workforce development.
“From that point of view, the MTI is unique because its training programmes are not fixed. We fully expect that its offer will evolve as the sector changes and grows over the coming years.
“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, or join at any point in between, with the same training partnership.”
Training includes apprenticeships, degree level studies and short courses delivered in state-of-the-art facilities covering subjects including cybersecurity, vehicle electrics and electronics, vehicle systems, engine principles and operation.
Businesses that would like to highlight a skills gap or training need should get in touch with the MTI via [email protected] to find out how it can help.
