The annual Birmingham Made Me celebration of the region’s design expertise and heritage has launched its 2014 programme.
This year the event is aiming to bring together more than 100 of the Midlands’ top business, education and policy-forming groups to showcase the region’s design-led manufacturing achievements.
Orgainsers intend to showcase the region’s ‘capabilities and innovations and promote the employment, training and apprenticeship opportunities for emerging talent’.
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Birmingham Made Me 2014 will ‘maxmise the employability of the Midlands’ young and graduate population by forging new links between universities and businesses across the region’s thriving sectors, which include transport, healthcare, digital technology, education and the creative professions’.
Since launching in 2012, the Birmingham Made Me Design expo has showcased The Original Design City and the success of design industries across the region, their globally respected products and innovative brands.
Last year’s expo showcased innovations from the Midlands which have produced designs such as the Land Rover Defender, AGA Range cooker, Pashley Clubman bicycle and Brooks England saddles, together with new hybrid supercar concept, the Jaguar C-X75, named in Detroit 2011 as the Most Significant Concept Vehicle, having been recognised as one of the vehicles most likely to shape the future of the automotive industry.
This year there is a special focus on helping emerging design, technical and professional talent into employment.
The initiative will see more than 50 free events held in Birmingham throughout 2014, kicking off with the first ever Birmingham Made Me Jobs Fair between May 6-9 at Millennium Point, which is expected to attract more than 10,000 young people.
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The annual three-day Birmingham Made Me Design expo starts on October 27 and provides a platform for world-class businesses and speakers.
Beverley Nielsen, Director, Employer Engagement, Birmingham City University and coordinating Birmingham Made Me 2014, said: “This year’s Birmingham Made Me campaign is the most ambitious yet and we couldn’t be more excited. As well as celebrating the Midland’s established design brands, we are also nurturing the potential of our emerging talent, providing our younger visitors with the skills and contacts to become the success stories of the future.”
Sir Albert Bore, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Birmingham Made Me is a breath of fresh air, linking for the very first time local business and entrepreneurship to academia for the benefit of both and more importantly for the benefit of Birmingham.”