Motorcycle manufacturing receives £4m boost

Funding will support 600 new jobs in the UK, including 200 apprenticeships

Norton Motorcycles has secured £4 million of government funding, as part of the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI), which will support 600 new jobs, including 200 new apprenticeships.

The funds will enable Midlands-based Norton and its 11 supply chain partners to develop new clean motorcycle engine technology in the UK which will power a new green motorcycle within two years. A new 10,000sq feet manufacturing facility will also be constructed.

The funding will also see the introduction of a new British Motorcycle Manufacturing Academy (BMMA) to train and supply the next generation of engineering apprentices to Norton Motorcycles and other supply chain partners.

The academy will train and supply staff to NVQ Levels 2, 3, and 4 to Norton Motorcycles and other members of the consortium. The academy will be based at Norton’s headquarters in Donington Park and apprentices will be taught within the Norton factory.

The AMSCI funding will result in 159 direct jobs at Norton Motorcycles, which the firm expects will grow into 600 direct and indirect jobs – including 200 apprentices – over five years.

Chancellor George Osborne said: "Our long term economic plan is all about backing successful British brands like Norton. Their decision to create 600 new jobs and investment in the next generation of manufacturing engineers is great news for the people of the East Midlands and a vote of confidence in the UK."

Norton Motorcycle chief executive, Stuart Garner, added: "Training and skills are key to our industry. Putting down a dedicated Academy for the British motorcycle industry finally gives us a sustainable future."

AMSCI has been designed to improve the global competitiveness of UK advanced manufacturing supply chains. Funding is available to support research and development, skills training and capital investment.