Productivity scheme launched across county

Delivered, co-designed and part-funded by BAE Systems, Siemens, Rolls Royce, Lancashire Learning and Enterprise Partnership and Lancaster University, the Productivity through People programme will support leaders of advanced manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises.

Held at business locations and the university, next year’s programme will showcase world-class manufacturing techniques used by BAE Systems, Siemens and Rolls Royce and other participating companies.

It will offer coaching, peer support, experiential visits to businesses and on-line resources with academic content delivered by Lancaster University Management School.

Nigel Whitehead, Group managing director of BAE Systems said: “We look forward to sharing our experience with business leaders. I believe it’s not simply that people are our best asset – ultimately, they are any organisation’s only asset.

“Engaging employees in the mission and purpose of the company, and really empowering them to do the job as effectively as possible, lies at the heart of successful organisations and sustainable business success.”

Ian Gordon, director of executive Education at Lancaster University Management School, said: “The advanced manufacturing sector is absolutely critical to the economic prosperity of North West England.

“We have some of the world’s finest advanced manufacturing and engineering companies based here, which export products across the globe. However, low productivity is well recognised as a threat to all businesses, and this extremely good value programme.”