Enginuity and UK Metals Council join forces to strengthen support for manufacturing SMEs

Enginuity has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UK Metals Council (UKMC), bringing together their expertise and industry networks to strengthen the voice of SMEs and support skills development across engineering and manufacturing.

Signed at the NEC in Birmingham to mark the launch of UK Metals Expo 2026, the agreement will see the two organisations work more closely to ensure employers' views help shape skills provision and future policy.

Bringing the voice of SMEs into policy

A key focus of the partnership will be the Policy Centre for Supply Chain and SMEs: Powered by Enginuity, which works to bring employer insight and evidence into policy discussions and help ensure skills and training meet the needs of businesses.

UKMC will support this work by sharing insights and market intelligence from its members and the wider metals sector, as well as encouraging businesses to get involved in research, pilot programmes, workshops and skills initiatives.

The organisations will also work together to strengthen engagement with government, policymakers and other influential stakeholders, helping to ensure the challenges and priorities facing SMEs are heard.

Ann Watson MBE, CEO of Enginuity, said: “We are delighted to be working with the UK Metals Council, an organisation that has such a valiant reputation for the work it does in representing and promoting such a critical sector for the UK economy. 

"Our combined voices, commitment and sphere of influence, coupled with industry knowledge, expertise and strength of feeling, can only be a positive move for SMEs across the sectors we both serve. Metals manufacturing is at the heart of the nation’s industrial process and sovereign capability, and a vital element of growth and prosperity for us all.”

Working together to address skills challenges

Skills, training and workforce development will also be central to the partnership. UKMC will encourage its members to take part in skills research and development activity, including pilot programmes, while both organisations look to build closer links with academia.

They will also share labour market intelligence and sector insights, and work together on events and workshops to encourage wider discussion around the issues affecting engineering and manufacturing businesses.

Rachel Eade MBE, Chair of the UK Metals Council, welcomed the partnership: “There is so much we can achieve as a sector if we work more collaboratively and this Memorandum of Understanding with Enginuity is a perfect example of that. Two hugely influential organisations talking more, aligning policies, building employer views into our lobbying and, importantly, putting skills front and centre of everything ‘we ask’ going forward.

"I’m really excited we’ve been able to seal the deal on the day we launch UK Metals Expo in the heart of the UK, an event where the entire metals supply chain comes together to support and grow domestic engineering, manufacturing and construction. The rallying call will be made for everyone connected with our amazing industry to get involved and support what Enginuity and UKMC are trying to achieve.”

The partnership builds on Enginuity's work with industry organisations to better understand employer needs, inform skills policy and help businesses access the skills they need to grow.

Find out more about the UK Metals Council Discover more about the Policy Centre for Supply Chain and SMEs: Powered by Enginuity