A new £14m EU-backed project to develop the next generation of leaders within Wales’ engineering sector has been announced by Finance Minister, Jane Hutt.

Backed by £8.6m of EU funds, Swansea University’s Materials and Manufacturing Academy will provide training in specialist technical and management skills key to the advanced engineering and materials sector.

The project will see 149 people take part in an industry-backed programme offering postgraduate qualifications including Research Masters and Engineering Doctorates.

Full time students and people currently employed in the engineering sector will take part in the programme, which is supported by a range of industrial partners across Wales.

The participating businesses, including TATA Steel, BASF, Royal Mint and Weartech International, will be actively involved in the programme by formulating research projects based on the technological developments taking place within their industries.

The programme will also utilise the University’s new £9m Advanced Imaging of Materials (AIM) facility, which is a scientific imaging facility unique in Europe.

Announcing the EU funds for the project at a launch event at Swansea University’s new Bay Campus, Finance Minister, Jane Hutt, said:

“Advanced engineering is a very important sector within our economy, so it’s excellent news that over £8m of EU funds are being invested to ensure that Wales has outstanding leaders in this industry now and in the future.

EU investment was also crucial to the development of the new Bay Campus, and I’m delighted that the people taking part in this project will benefit from the world class facilities within the Engineering Manufacturing Centre.”