Advanced Engineering (including Aerospace)

Engineering is the third largest of the RDA key sectors in the region providing £2.2 billion to the regional economy. This equates to 3.7% of the regional GVA and 17% of the total for all eight key sectors.

The sector is characterised by a relatively high level of craft and trade related occupations, 28% of jobs compared to 15% for all industries in the South West. Qualification levels within the industry are relatively high with 65% of workers being qualified to at least Level 3 or above (State of the Key Sectors, South West RDA, 2004).

Within the region this sector comprises three principle components:

- Aerospace: largely clustered around Bristol with global players such as BAE Systems and Rolls Royce at the core. This is the largest sub-sector in employment terms, accounting for almost a third of all jobs in the advanced engineering sector.
- Automotive: with a large concentration of employment in the Swindon area, including Honda's only UK manufacturing plant.
- Measuring instruments and medical devices: with particular strengths in healthcare products and research and development. There are concentrations of employment in this sub-sector across the region, notably in Gloucestershire.

for publications related to advanced engineering.

Sector Workforce Development Plan for Engineering Manufacture 2001-2005 (EMTA, 2001)

An Assessment of Skills Needs in Engineering (DfEE, 2000) [.pdf 522KB]

South West RDA SDF Projects on Advanced Engineering

West of England Aerospace Forum
The West of England Aerospace Forum is a Trade Association championing the interests of aerospace companies in the South West.

The Society of British Aerospace Companies
The SBAC is the UK's national aerospace trade association and is the voice of the UK Aerospace Industry (UKAI).

Civil Aviation Authority
The CAA is the UK's specialist aviation regulator. Through its skills and expertise it is recognised as a world leader in its field. Its specific responsibilities include: Air Safety, Economic Regulation, Airspace Regulation, Consumer Protection, Environmental Research & Consultancy.

DTI - Aerospace
The Department of Trade and Industry pages on the aerospace sector.

DTI - Automotive
The Department of Trade and Industry pages on the automotive sector.

DTI - Engineering
The Department of Trade and Industry pages on the engineering sector.

SEMTA
SEMTA is the SSC for science, engineering, aerospace and manufacturing technologies. It represents aerospace, electrical engineering, electronics (including semi-conductors), mechanical engineering and metal trades, motor vehicles, shipbuilding and marine engineering.

EEF
The EEF, Engineering Employers' Federation has a growing membership of close to 6,000 companies of all sizes. It provides business services in employment relations and employment law, health, safety and environment, manufacturing performance, and education and skills.

EngineeringUK
EngineeringUK (formerly ETB) is a registered charity that aims to tackle the needs of the UK's science, engineering and technology industry and to create a unified platform and voice. It works in partnership with business and industry, Government, education and the profession to improve the perception of science, engineering and technology (SET) in the UK.

Good Practice Case Studies in the Advanced Engineering Sector

NVQ Progression Routes - Chapter on Advanced Engineering and Aerospace (SWRDA, Dec 2003)

Consortium for Continuing Professional Development in Aerospace (CPDA)	The Bristol and West of England Consortium for Continuing Professional Development (CPDA) is a consortium of universities and industry, offering postgraduate level study for experienced engineers and managers in Aerospace organisations, from SMEs to Primes.
West of England Aerospace Forum	A trade Association representing the interests of companies in the aerospace sector in the South West. Established in Bristol in 2002, WEAF works in partnership with industry, the public sector, academia and other stakeholders, to provide a focal point for activities to boost the competitiveness and growth of the region's 800-plus companies serving the world's aerospace industry.

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