New advice service will safeguard jobs (From Worcester News)

New advice service will safeguard jobs

4:13pm Friday 6th January 2012 in Biz

SMALL and medium manufacturing businesses in Worcestershire are set to benefit from a national programme launched by Business Minister Mark Prisk and the Manufacturing Advisory Consortium (MAC).

The new Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) will be delivered by the MAC, which is comprised of Grant Thornton, Pera, WM Manufacturing Consortium and SWMAS.

It has been estimated that across the UK, the new MAS will help generate £1.5 billion in economic growth, 23,000 jobs, as well as safeguard 50,000 jobs.

Mr Prisk said: “Manufacturing contributes half of Britain’s exports and has much higher productivity than the rest of the economy so it is essential to our plans for growth. The new MAS will play a key role providing tailored advice to businesses helping them to grow and thrive, with a specific focus on helping SMEs improve competitiveness and unlocking their growth potential.”

Simon Griffiths, MAS area director north and west, which covers Worcestershire, said: “As we drive this historically successful programme in to a new era we encourage business leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs in the manufacturing sector to contact an adviser to find out more about how MAS can deliver real benefits for their business.”

For details, visit mymas.org or call 0845 658 9600.