Minister opens new engineering building at Boston College

The Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi MP opened the Engineering, Manufacturing and Technology Centre (EMAT) at Boston College yesterday (Thursday 12th March).

The new £4.3 million state-of-the-art centre was developed with funding from the Greater Lincolnshire Skills Capital Investment Programme (administered by the Greater Lincolnshire LEP) and the Midlands Engine.

It provides an industry-driven training facility that will stimulate growth and productivity across the sector with its innovative workshops and suites.

Acting as a hub for local engineering and manufacturing, the centre offers the opportunity for agritech businesses to create a partnership with the college to help train the engineers in line with industry needs.

EMAT includes an innovative hub, two workshops that will provide space for traditional engineering and manufacturing skills and modern industry practices, an electronics laboratory, a Computer Aided Design and Manufacture (CAD/CAM) suite, three classrooms and a break-out space.

Mr Zahawi was taken on a guided tour of the facility, where he talked to learners who are currently training to become engineers of the future, before officially opening the centre.

“The new facility at Boston College brings together some of the UK’s finest academics, students and local businesses, all of whom will be instrumental to helping us realise the UK’s engineering and manufacturing potential,” he said.

“By boosting crucial skills and fuelling local growth, this state-of-the-art building will help our local agriculture and manufacturing businesses stay at the forefront of the technology revolution.”

Other guests at the opening included Matt Warman MP, Mayor of Boston Councillor Anton Dani, Councillor Paul Skinner, Pat Doody (LEP Chair) and Ruth Carver (LEP Chief Executive) as well as Boston College governors, local employers and school representatives.

“The EMAT Centre forms part of the LEP's £7.34m Skills Capital Investment Fund Programme, which aims to strengthen our local training infrastructure to respond more effectively to business needs and enable employers to upskill their existing workforce or attract relevant skills locally," said Pat Doody.

“Our £2.8m grant will support key strategic sectors and invigorate and support innovation for businesses, stimulating economic growth through access to resources and advice.

“As one of the key sites making up the emerging Lincolnshire Institute for Technology, the EMAT Centre will undoubtedly help our young people achieve their ambitions and realise their full potential.”

Boston College Principal and Chief Executive Jo Maher added:“We are honoured that Mr Zahawi has opened our brand new EMAT centre and we're extremely grateful for the support and funding provided by the LEP.

"EMAT is part of £10m learner-focused investment on our campus to help develop the highly advanced knowledge, skills, and behaviours our learners need for careers in a technology-driven world.”