Articles about ‘Birmingham’
Aug 31
Opening of Bournville College Engineering Centre
I was privileged to open the new Engineering Centre at Bournville College yesterday.
With state of the art equipment to teach the practical, hands-on skills that employers are always looking for, the centre will initially offer students the opportunity to acquire qualifications from Level 1 to level 3 with potential for university-partnered courses up to level 5 being available – probably as early as next year.
Engineering is in the DNA of Longbridge. Its name has been synonymous with motor manufacturing for over one hundred years. The new centre at Bournville College both celebrates that heritage and demonstrates how world-class engineering can be as much a part of the area’s future as its past. Although cars are no longer assembled at Longbridge, three hundred skilled engineers work at the SAIC Technical Centre today designing and develop the motor vehicles of tomorrow. They are part of the same industry that still employs thousands of people working for major car companies from Jaguar Land Rover to Toyota and BMW in the West Midlands, and more beyond, and for hundreds of specialist component and other companies across the country. Together they ensure that the UK is once again recognised as world-class in automotive.
They are developing a future for automotive that is radically different from anything seen before – one of ultra-low or zero emissions, and where in-car information systems enable us to make smarter choices about how to get about – including when it makes more sense not to use a private motor vehicle to do so. Increasingly, motor vehicles will be capable of autonomous operation to the extent that even what we mean by driving will change.
Turning these innovative ideas into reality in ways that change the way we live is what engineers do. The UK urgently needs more engineers at all levels. They are more important than ever to find solutions to the huge technical challenges that the future holds – in automotive and in the entire spectrum of industries and sectors that drive a modern economy.
Bournville College’s Engineering Centre at Longbridge provides the opportunity for local young people to be at the heart of this innovation, opening up opportunities to embark on great careers in modern engineering and manufacturing. It is also great to see the emphasis that the College is putting on demonstrating that those opportunities are every bit relevant to young women as they are to young men.
Congratulations to everyone who has made the opening of the Centre a reality and best of luck to all the students who will be starting in September. You can find out more about the range of courses that are on offer here – https://www.sccb.ac.uk/courses/engineering/
Best Small Shop Competition
Small and independent shops in and around Northfield are an important part of the character of our local area. They provide employment for many local people and are a vital part of our economy locally.
So I am asking Northfield’s small shopkeepers to enter the Best Small Shops Competition 2018 which celebrates the creativity of small shops and the central role they play in their local communities. I would also encourage local residents to consider the contribution that small shops make to their local community by making their favourite shopkeepers aware of how they could take the prize of Britain’s Best Small Shop.
The competition is open to any small shop operating in the UK and is free to enter. Shopkeepers can nominate their business until Sunday 9th September via www.bestsmallshops.co.uk. A panel of representatives from the independent retail industry will then shortlist 25 of the most impressive applications who will be invited to a Parliamentary Reception to crown the Best Small Shop for 2018.
Small shops are part of what makes our area tick and it would be great to see some local business from Northfield receiving the recognition they deserve at the national level.
Rail fares to rise again
The Government yesterday confirmed that rail fares will increase by up to 3.2% in January. Local rail users will understandably be frustrated and angry at the news of yet another increase in the price of fares on our railways.
The amount by which train companies can raise regulated fees is the responsibility of the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling. He has the power to cap regulated fare rises at a lower rate of inflation but he’s choosing not to.
It’s time for the Government to wake up to the pressure that rail fare hikes are putting on hard-pressed family budgets. Labour would bring our railways into public ownership to make sure that passengers are put at the heart of decision-making on our railways.
https://www.theguardian.com/…/uk-rail-fares-to-rise-commute…
Funding opportunity for young people
Local colleges, universities and community groups have the chance to apply for a £100,000 funding opportunity from the National Express Foundation. The National Express Foundation supports disadvantaged young people by providing funding to use towards projects and bursaries that help young people to succeed in life.
I would encourage local community groups, colleges and universities to make the most of the funding opportunity and apply for some of the £100,000 that is available, to help young people in the local community.
It is important that local young people have the chance to benefit from this funding opportunity which could make a real difference in helping with their costs whilst a student. Organisations will have to act quick however because the deadline for applications in Friday 24 August. You can find out more information and how to apply here.
July Parliamentary Newsletter
Welcome to my latest Parliamentary newsletter! If you think a friend or family member may be interested in receiving my regular updates they can sign up here.
Space prevents the newsletter covering all of what I have been doing over the past month. However, hopefully it provides a flavour of some of the local issues I have taken up as well as my actions in Parliament. You’ll find updates on the South Birmingham bus network, Brexit and other issues. As ever, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me on these or any other issues.
I hope you all have a lovely and restful summer.
