NEWS 12 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS November/December 2025 www.hpmag.co.uk UK and Canada sign manufacturing pact to strengthen advanced technology collaboration Make UK has signed a trade and partnership agreement with Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), establishing a framework aimed at expanding industrial cooperation and trade between the two countries. The agreement, signed in Ottawa by Make UK Chief Executive Stephen Phipson and CME Chief Executive Dennis Darby, was witnessed by the UK’s High Commissioner to Canada, HE Rob Tinline, and Canada’s Minister of International Trade, The Hon. Maninder Sidhu. The partnership builds on a joint statement issued by the countries’ prime ministers in June and targets increased bilateral activity in areas regarded as strategically critical to both economies. These include rare earth minerals, nuclear technology and artificial intelligence, alongside a specific emphasis on defence and security collaboration, where both nations host established industrial capabilities. Beyond policy alignment, the organisations will cooperate on practical measures such as sharing information on science, technology and innovation, and promoting trade, investment and commercial exchanges among their member companies. Canada is currently the UK’s 16th-largest trading partner and 13th-largest export destination for goods, with bilateral trade worth £6.5bn annually. Phipson commented: “This is a welcome agreement which reflects the longstanding and, historic, relations between the UK and Canada on trade and other areas of co-operation. Make UK and CME have developed a strong relationship over many years, supporting the efforts of UK and Canadian manufacturers to invest, create jobs and develop supply chain connectivity. Today’s agreement will now look to make the most of this historic connection through this industry partnership to boost ties between manufacturers in both countries and support the ambition of both governments to increase investment and collaboration in vitally important technologies.” Darby added: “Canada and the United Kingdom have an opportunity to build one of the world’s most innovative and resilient industrial partnerships. Moving forward, we see real opportunities to deepen collaboration in advanced manufacturing, clean technology, and defence procurement. Canadian manufacturers are ready to lead alongside our UK partners, and we are eager for both governments to seize this moment for bold, forward-looking growth to support our sector.” The agreement is positioned by both organisations as a platform to enhance supply chain resilience, drive technology development and support long-term industrial competitiveness across key engineering-led sectors. The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) has shared its response to the UK Government’s Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, highlighting the potential benefits of the proposals for the country’s manufacturing sector. MTC said the plans could strengthen the industry’s long-term competitiveness by supporting high-quality reskilling and upskilling programmes and by establishing a national workforce strategy to ensure employers and workers can access “the right skills, at the right time.” According to the organisation, investment in skills and training remains essential to maintaining the global competitiveness of UK manufacturing and driving sustained economic growth. As technologies continue to evolve, MTC said, the UK workforce must be equipped to adopt and apply them effectively. The White Paper’s introduction of short, modular ‘Apprenticeship Units’, available through the reformed Growth and Skills Levy, was described by MTC as “a positive step” that could help manufacturers adapt to advanced technologies and improve productivity and profitability. MTC also welcomed the creation of three post-16 education pathways, saying they would offer “greater clarity, choice and opportunities for learners” while providing alternative routes into engineering and manufacturing. The organisation said this approach would help meet the changing needs of UK employers and encourage more people to pursue careers in the sector. The centre further noted that the proposed V-Levels represent an important step in simplifying vocational qualifications, reducing confusion in the system and helping industry engage more effectively with education providers. David Grailey, Managing Director, MTC Training, commented: “High quality reskilling and upskilling programmes – anchored in a national workforce strategy which uses Workforce Foresighting data and incentives – are needed to ensure employers and workers can invest in the right skills, at the right time. “The inclusion of short, modular ‘Apprenticeship Units’, accessible via the Levy, is a positive step that will help UK manufacturing adopt advanced technologies to drive competitiveness, productivity, and profitability. “We welcome the development of the three pathways for post-16 education as a step towards greater clarity, choice and opportunities for learners. These pathways will offer alternative routes of entry into engineering and manufacturing – helping to meet the evolving needs of UK employers and encourage more people into the industry. “The creation of V-Levels represents a significant milestone in streamlining the qualification landscape, reducing confusion, and increasing engagement with the education and skills system. As a critical sector for future growth and innovation, these proposals are good news for advanced manufacturing.” MTC welcomes Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper as boost for UK manufacturing
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