As the Manufacturing Institute has evolved, we are proud to have achieved several significant milestones on our journey.
We brought the FabLab concept to the UK. Fab Labs are the educational outreach component of MIT’s Centre for Bits and Atoms (CBA), a place to play, to create, to learn, to mentor, to invent. We opened the UK’s first Fab Lab, in Ancoats, Manchester, and the technology we introduced is now standard across schools, universities and public spaces.
We were also the first European licensed affiliate of the Shingo Institute, global leaders in the Shingo model of operational excellence. We have since supported more organisations on their journeys to Shingo recognition than any other affiliate in Europe. Our 10-year partnership continues to thrive, shaping the support we offer manufacturers across the globe.
In line with our mission to deliver the very best in specialist, manufacturing-focused education and training, we launched an MSc in Manufacturing Leadership, in partnership with Lancaster University Management School. Over 70% of learners on the course have progressed to higher level jobs on graduation, and we continue to work closely with Lancaster to refine our education provision and develop new programmes together.
We are firm believers in the power of partnership and collaboration. We host annual conferences throughout the UK, where senior leaders from across the globe come to network, inspire others and celebrate manufacturing. Conferences continue to be an integral part of our strategy going forward, as we seek to change attitudes, challenge traditional thinking and drive change.
Ready For Tomorrow’s Challenges
In 2017, The Manufacturing Institute became part of The Growth Company, which helps to develop communities by boosting employment, skills, investment and enterprise for the benefit of all.
Today, we are a small, dedicated team, committed to delivering our very best to support the UK’s manufacturing sector. We never put anyone in front of our customers who does not have first-hand industry experience at the highest level. It’s all part of our mission to help manufacturers gain the skills, training and knowledge to overcome challenges, increase their competitiveness and thrive in the 21st century.