Programme Delivery

Through Accelerate Wales, Member companies and their Champions are able to take advantage of many regional and local facilities. Much training activity for the Champions is delivered at the Waterton Technology Centre located next door to the Ford Engine Plant in Bridgend. However, the initiative also utilises conference and training facilities at the QED Centre in Treforest, Cardiff Business School as well as other facilities across Wales. As and when specialist technical facilities are required, then the project management team assist the Champions in locating and booking an appropriate location.

Accelerate Wales has constructed and will maintain an information and management infrastructure based on this Website. Whist this website is in the public domain, many facilities will be on a controlled access basis for members and managers only. It is a requirement for every member company to have IT equipment and skills appropriate to the need of this system.

Mentoring

The primary source of mentoring within the supply-chains is the Champions. Each Champion receives comprehensive and high quality training and mentoring support from the Cardiff Business School as well as consultants delivering Benchmarking and Value Stream Mapping products. Other mentoring may be provided by specialist consultancies as part of the projects they are specifically delivering.

Training

Training falls within two categories: educational (vocational) or Business Development (non-vocational). The latter is aimed at providing specific skills within the workplace to overcome process problems or implement process change, most of this activity is provided via referral to WDA initiatives. The former is aimed at improving/developing personal skills in a more generic way as well as providing portable qualifications. Most of this activity would be provided via referral to the appropriate initiatives.

Business Support

This activity is currently the responsibility of WDA Account Managers operating on a regional and local basis. Wherever possible, Accelerate Wales will integrate Account Managers into the information loop and involve them in on-site activity. However, the project management team can provide direct links to a wide range of organisations that can deliver specialist technology or funding advice and has negotiated a fast-track process with the WAG for Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) funding applications. The team will continue to look for other ways to improve direct business support activity.

Innovation

As well as improving the cost performance of automotive companies, a key strategy is to help companies to bring better quality new products to the market place faster and at a price the market is looking for. This issue is addressed by proving links into local ITCs, Wales Innovation Relay Centre, as well as specialist R & D and Rapid Prototyping facilities. Accordingly, companies can look forward to receiving best advice in relation to technology and funding.

Advice

Accelerate Wales provides its Champions and member companies with unparalleled access to advice and support. Business Development Managers, Innovation and Technology councillors, academics, industrialists and the vast experience and knowledge held with the network of Accelerate Wales companies can all be brought to bear.