Makers Alliance is working to develop a road map for the future of manufacturing and makers in Northern Ireland. There is a significant amount of policy and funding decisions at council, NI Executive and UK wide level.

Objective:
To build engagement directly with business to support creation of road map and input at sub-regional, regional and national level. Makers Alliance wants to better understand the immediate, medium- and long-term challenges and opportunities seen from the perspective of owner managers, directors and key decision makers in our sector.

Areas for Engagement:

  • Skills Needs & Sector Attractiveness
    A long discussed and deep-rooted issue, what can be done to address it? What challenges does business need to own and where does education and government fit?
  • Productivity & Competitiveness
    While manufacturing productivity and competitiveness is above the Northern Ireland average it is under the wider UK. The predecessor to the Makers Alliance within Invest NI developed a 4Manufacturing assessment and route map to help business understand opportunities and benchmark, would wider access to this or similar be of benefit?
  • Innovation & Digital – City & Growth Deal Capital Projects
    £140m minimum is earmarked for capital projects in Northern Ireland, how do these deliver value for business? Does business see benefit from multiple projects or would a single entity or similar be better? Do councils, universities and colleges deliver for business now? What works well and what does not?
  • Wider UK and RoI Engagement
    How does Northern Ireland maximise the best possible outcome for manufacturing businesses? Is there a need for a different form of engagement with business to support this?

To find out more- please register for our information session on September 14th at 09:30am via zoom

How can we help?