12 April 2017—Global infrastructure services firm AECOM will provide industry training and insight to research staff at Sheffield University in South Yorkshire, England, as part of its new membership to the university’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC). Under the membership agreement, AECOM and the University of Sheffield will also pursue research and development opportunities with shared risks and costs in areas that could include the automotive, aerospace, food and beverage and construction sectors. The research will focus on areas that meet industry’s needs and help drive forward the Northern Powerhouse agenda in Sheffield.
As part of the membership, AECOM will help equip staff with specialist industrial skills continuing to support growth of the high-value manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom. AECOM experts will deliver a range of modules including process related health and safety and process optimisation. AECOM has a large office in Chesterfield, an integral part of the Sheffield City Region area, employing approximately 400 people, and will also offer work placements to University of Sheffield students.
As part of the Sheffield City Region’s Strategic Economic Plan, the city aims to create 70,000 jobs between 2015 and 2025 in order to maintain its strong reputation as a world leader in the technology, manufacturing and engineering sectors. The plan’s goal is to restructure the skills base in the area. AECOM will contribute by providing industry expertise through its AMRC membership to help develop the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District, a Sheffield City Council initiative that aims to connect academic research with industrial research and development.
Nick Jones, UK and Ireland Industrial Sector Managing Director, said: “AECOM will share industrial expertise and help shape the research activities at AMRC. The ultimate aim is to nurture a highly-skilled, future workforce in Sheffield that will help attract high-value manufacturers to the city and support the wider Northern Powerhouse initiative.”
Ben Morgan, Head of the AMRC Integrated Manufacturing Group, commented: “We are pleased to welcome AECOM to the AMRC family as we have already worked collaboratively over the last few years. AECOM becoming members allows an even closer relationship in the collective journey to delivering innovative process led solutions to our partners and wider client base.”
The AMRC is a world-class centre for advanced machining and materials research for aerospace and other high-value manufacturing sectors. It is a partnership between industry and academia, which has become a model for research centres worldwide.
About AECOM
AECOM is built to deliver a better world. We design, build, finance and operate infrastructure assets for governments, businesses and organizations in more than 150 countries. As a fully integrated firm, we connect knowledge and experience across our global network of experts to help clients solve their most complex challenges. From high-performance buildings and infrastructure, to resilient communities and environments, to stable and secure nations, our work is transformative, differentiated and vital. A Fortune 500 firm, AECOM had revenue of approximately $17.4 billion during fiscal year 2016. See how we deliver what others can only imagine at aecom.com and @AECOM.
