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A report* just out by the respected Centre for Cities think tank predicts that almost a quarter of Warrington’s jobs will be made redundant by the growth in artificial intelligence (AI).

The head of the town’s investment agency has acknowledged the report’s findings as ‘helpful’ but says that the town’s strengths in the technology, nuclear and manufacturing sectors should ‘more than balance out’ what jobs may be lost.

“The report makes for interesting reading and there’s some helpful analysis in there that tells us that our strategy of developing a cluster of technology businesses specifically targeting the engineering and nuclear sectors is the right one. In essence, we can have our cake and eat it,” says Steve Park, the CEO of Warrington & Co.

He says that by developing tech businesses that can help local manufacturers become more efficient and competitive, the town can develop a workforce that can then export its skills worldwide.

And, says Mr Park, investments like The Base in Dallam Lane and its neighbouring University Technical College, are helping ‘future proof’ the town’s economy.

“The whole convergence of digital technologies with manufacturing sits well with Warrington, as we have great strengths in both. Our schools and colleges are now teaching youngsters coding and other vital digital skills and we’re already seeing that feed through in to the recruits at places like The Base, which is home to almost 150 skilled workers.  The Base’s tenants work in a wide range of digital and engineering-related industries and the collaboration between them is creating a whole eco-system of growing, innovative companies.”

One of those businesses is Avanite, which has developed a unique software system that helps tidy up workplace computers, removing the cookies that clog-up expensive hard drive space and slow down computer processing, damaging productivity. The company now has thousands of users worldwide and is busy recruiting ‘re-sellers’ to take the product in to new global markets.

“We’re expecting to double in size this year,” explains Avanite director Francesco Giarletta. “We see only opportunity from continued digitalisation.  If Warrington can ensure that its school children are equipped with the skills to help companies like ours grow then there’s a great future for them and for the town.”

And, whilst there may be a lag in the supply of skilled youngsters coming on to the market, employers are investing heavily in training and development to plug the gap, says Steve Park.

“Technological change is so rapid that it’s always going to be difficult for the education sector to keep pace, but we’re on the right track and have great partnerships with Warrington’s employers to train our young people to be job-ready. Major employers like Siemens and Unilever are working with the UTC on collaborations that lead the country.  We have every reason to be optimistic,” believes Mr Park.

“Predicting doom and gloom will always grab the headlines, but here in Warrington we see AI as just another example of why we need to remain on our toes and be flexible and open to change as a workforce and a community,” he concludes.

*Cities Outlook 2018 is available to download at www.centreforcities.org.uk

 

A trio of lettings to tech companies at The Base is proof that Warrington’s position between Manchester and Liverpool – for years a major factor in its growth – can continue to sustain and grow the town as Britain’s economy changes.

That’s the view of Steve Park, managing director of Warrington & Co, the council’s public-private sector regeneration arm.

He says that easy rail and road links into Warrington from its bigger neighbours is helping tech-led businesses such as Cube32 Studios and DAT Draughting Services attract and retain the skilled staff that they need.

“We don’t have a Northern Quarter or a Baltic Triangle in Warrington, but we’re growing a cluster of hi-tech companies here because they see the locational advantages.  They can tap into two established labour pools yet access vital business support in somewhere like The Base.  There’s an exciting tech cluster developing here that is helping future-proof our economy.”

The three new occupiers at The Base on Dallam Lane, which also includes JSA Design, take the number of tech and engineering occupiers at the space to 16.  More than 130 staff now work in the 50,000 sq ft grade A office, which is managed by Langtree on behalf of Warrington & Co.

Chris Bain, the managing director of Cube32, said: “Attracting and retaining talent is key to our whole business plan and being in Warrington makes that much easier.  Draw a map showing a 30 minute commute and you’re looking at a workforce of more than three million people.”

At a recent presentation at The Base by Siemens’ chief technology officer, Alan Norbury, the audience heard that technology-led manufacturing companies could expect to see a 30% boost to productivity as the ‘fourth industrial revolution’ took hold.  He predicted a significant boost for the north west, with its strong cohort of advanced manufacturers.

“Norbury’s comments really chimed with us in Warrington,” says Steve Park.  “We want to have our cake and eat it: be a home for the tech businesses that are driving productivity gains for our existing manufacturers.  That would set us fair for years to come.”

BaseConnect has chalked up its 100^th member just six months after launching.

The network, which meets at best practice seminars, networking events and workshops at The Base, the town’s advanced manufacturing and engineering hub in Dallam Lane, has welcomed Glow New Media as its hundredth member – and organisers say the target is now to hit one hundred and fifty active participants.

“The speed of growth and the energy at our events tells you everything about the dynamism of the Warrington economy,” said Sylvie Morton, business development manager of Langtree, who manage The Base on behalf of Warrington & Co.

“The level of inter-trading between members is the most pleasing aspect of what we’ve achieved so far and Glow New Media’s expertise can only add to the mix.”

Explaining his reasons for joining, Phil Blything of Glow said: “Much of our own technical innovation and product development has come from collaboration and networks such as BaseConnect plug us in to so many great brains.  The events are always very well attended and there’s a real buzz about the place.  I’d advise anyone to join and get stuck in.”

 

The National Skills Academy for Nuclear (NSAN), which is tasked with addressing the skills challenges facing the UK’s nuclear industry, has signed a three-year lease at The Base in Warrington.

The deal sees NSAN move its Northwest regional office from the South of the town to its new home in the emerging commercial district, with room for up to 15 members of staff.

Warrington is home to one of the UK’s largest clusters of nuclear engineering and research employers and The Base has been established to support companies in the advanced manufacturing and engineering sectors.

“This is a perfect fit for The Base,” said Jayne Furnival, group property director of Langtree, which manages the building on behalf of Warrington & Co.

“NSAN is playing a key role in developing talent to support the UK’s nuclear programme and The Base has become a hub for technical and research excellence. We have a lively events and networking programme which will help NSAN articulate its mission across the region.”

Commenting on the move, Nick Cusick, Finance Director at NSAN, said: “Warrington provides NSAN with an ideal location for our Northwest office, with many of the UK’s leading nuclear engineering, research and training organisations having offices close by. The Base’s central location also provides our members not based in the Warrington area with accessible transport links.”

The Base provides 50,000 square feet of Grade A office space and is home to 10 businesses across a range of disciplines, employing more than 70 staff. The building was developed by Warrington & Co, the private-sector led regeneration arm of Warrington Council, and is managed on its behalf by Langtree.