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was pleased to welcome , Shadow Secretary of State for Education to .

Ms Powell was interested to learn more about WMG’s programmes, particularly how it collaborates with industry to deliver these.

After meeting with Professor Lord Bhattacharyya, Ms Powell was given a tour of the Group’s R&D facilities. Starting in the International Manufacturing Centre’s Engineering Hall with , where they discussed WMG’s research into smart and connected vehicles. Ms Powell heard about how the team produced a laser scan of 30 miles of Coventry roads to test driverless pods through a research project with RDM, and had the opportunity to speak with Engineering Doctorate researchers Joseph Smyth and Robert Courtney. She also met with undergraduates working on national and international student competitions including Formula student, 91¸£Àû Rail Challenge and 91¸£Àû Sub.

It was then onto the , where the tour was led by Principal Engineer Mark Amor-Segan. The EIC includes a battery characterisation laboratory, aggressive testing chambers and an electric/hybrid drives test facility. Mark highlighted some of the hybrid and electric vehicle battery research currently undertaken and introduced Ms Powell to PhD researcher Tom Bruen.

Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, Lucy Powell MP, said: “The research and development projects I saw at WMG were fascinating. They are forging ahead with some fantastic new technologies - particularly with the work they are doing around battery research.

"WMG is a world-leader in research and development and the work they are doing puts UK automotive at the centre of this expanding industry – an industry that is vital to the economy of the UK and the West Midlands, particularly with so much automotive trade being with the EU.

"Lord Bhattacharyya has been instrumental in creating a solid foundation of research and development that underpins the UK motor industry. The innovating principle that was at the core of WMG’s founding in 1980 was Lord Bhattacharyya’s belief that education, research, development and application all have to go hand-in-hand with each other. That notion is still, unfortunately, a much under-utilised model, but WMG just goes to show how effective it can be when put into practice.”

Professor Lord Bhattacharyya said: “I was delighted to see the interest that Lucy had in all of our students, both here at WMG and at the Academy. It is the young people of today who will be our experts of the future. At WMG we work closely with industry, in all of our education programmes, to ensure that we are developing the skills in engineering that the UK needs in which to sustain its future.”

After WMG, Ms Powell went on to visit the , Coventry.

Ms Powell was greeted by Kate Tague, Executive Principal of the WMG Academy Trust. She heard about the developments with the WMG Academy for Young Engineers in Solihull and watched presentations from students, before being given a tour of the specialist facilities. Here she was able to see how students put their learning into practice. The visit finished with a small group of students having the opportunity to undertake a Q&A session with her.

After her visit she said:

“I am delighted to have seen at first hand the ground breaking work of the WMG Academy for Young Engineers. It was humbling to meet such committed teachers who clearly wanted to give their pupils a first class start in life. It was refreshing to hear from Lord Bhattacharyya how he has harnessed the local business community to support this school.

"I especially enjoyed my question and answer session with a group of pupils. It is very clear that they are interested in politics but clearly want to know what politicians can do to improve their lives and those of their fellow citizens.

"This was an example of an excellent academy school. It brings together local business people, parents and pupils making a real difference to people’s lives and enabling the local economy to thrive for everyone’s benefit. This is in sharp contrast to the government’s programme to force all good and outstanding schools to become an academy against their wishes by 2022."