Specialist Automotive Global Skills Centre Opens Its Doors at MIRA Technology Park

MIRA Technology Institute (MTI), a unique partnership between North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College, HORIBA MIRA, Coventry University, Loughborough University and the University of Leicester has opened its doors at MIRA Technology Park (MTP).

The institute, which opened in September, was created to satisfy an ever-increasing demand for specialist skills in the automotive sector, with a focus on the growth of new and disruptive technologies.

As connected and autonomous vehicles become more prevalent, so too will the need to develop specialist skills in these disciplines. The unique courses offered by MTI will train a new generation of engineers, as well as upskilling experienced engineers, in areas such as electrification, driverless car technologies, cybersecurity and drivetrain efficiency, to ensure that the UK automotive industry continues to position itself as a global leader.

The curriculum offered by MTI plays host to an array of unique, specialist education and training opportunities, providing tuition in key areas of emerging automotive technology. Informed by the needs of industry, the institute is also notable for its ability to develop and deliver bespoke courses. This collaboration between education and industry will benefit the development of talent at all levels, from apprentices right through to qualified engineers and extending right up to PhD level.

Bolstered by its proximity to the companies leading the charge on the next generation of automotive engineering at MIRA Technology Park, MTI fully reflects the ideals of the Enterprise Zone it is located within. While the Institute nurtures future talent, MIRA Technology Park plays host to the companies creating these emerging technologies that will revolutionise the automotive industry.

Terry Spall, Commercial Director at MIRA Technology Park said:

“The opening of MIRA Technology Institute is vital to the continued renaissance of the UK automotive sector, as we see the global sector evolve at incredible pace in areas such as electrification and connected and autonomous vehicle technology.”

“The UK – and Midlands – continues to draw global interest from the automotive industry. MIRA Technology Park is an automotive technology cluster accommodating R&D teams from many global automotive companies, that have chosen to physically locate themselves in the heart of the UK automotive industry and leverage the benefit of the HORIBA MIRA facilities and expertise. The opening of MTI augments this by providing a skills ‘machine’ to help solve the critical issue of availability of specialist skills, faced by many companies operating in areas of emerging automotive technologies.”

The institute stands at 24,500 sq. ft and is a globally focused enterprise. It is fully aligned with the Government’s Industrial Strategy launched by the Prime Minister just a year ago. It has been funded by Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) with a £9.5m investment from the Local Growth Fund that was awarded to North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College as the lead partner.