The Policy Centre for Supply Chain and SMEs, powered by Enginuity, was launched yesterday (24 November) to give engineering and manufacturing SMEs a stronger and more consistent voice in national policy. Its focus on skills, productivity, and supply-chain resilience mirrors many of the issues regularly raised by CEA members, particularly at a time when the sector continues to face workforce pressures and rising demand for technical capability.
The Policy Centre brings SMEs, industry bodies, employers and government together to build a clearer picture of the challenges smaller manufacturers face. It draws on data, research, and direct engagement to ensure the day-to-day experience is accurately reflected in skills and industrial policy. This should help support more practical conversations with government, especially around long-standing training and recruitment difficulties.
The Centre describes itself as impact-driven and solution-agnostic. Its work already links into discussions on the Advanced Manufacturing Plan, apprenticeship levy access, FE provision and wider investment in technical education. It is also gathering regular insight through its SME Snapshot survey, which tracks how smaller firms are responding to economic and policy change.
For CEA members, the launch of the Policy Centre signals a more coordinated and evidence-led approach to skills and supply-chain policy. It also provides a platform for SME views to carry more weight in national discussions.
Viki Bell, Chief Executive, CEA (Construction Equipment Association) said:
“The Policy Centre offers a welcome focus on the real pressures facing smaller manufacturers. Skills and supply-chain challenges continue to affect many of our members, and having a clearer evidence base helps move the national conversation in a more practical direction. The construction equipment sector relies on a skilled and resilient supply chain, and this launch is a positive step towards ensuring SME experience is properly reflected in policy.”
Ann Watson, CEO of Enginuity, said: “SMEs are the lifeblood of the UK economy, yet their voices often struggle to cut through in the policy arena. Effective policy depends on honest engagement with the people who understand the challenges first hand, and too many SMEs feel they are not being heard. The Policy Centre has been created to bring clarity, evidence and direction to that conversation. By drawing together SMEs, government and industry partners, we can support a stronger skills system and a more resilient supply chain.”