30 August 2018

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited Spirit AeroSytems to announce £4.8 million funding for their new open access Aerospace Innovation Centre at their manufacturing site in Prestwick.

We were pleased to host First @ScotGovFM @NicolaSturgeon at our Prestwick facility this morning as she announced Scottish government funding support for the new open access Aerospace Innovation Centre. https://t.co/LiR7ffEHDD

— Spirit AeroSystems (@SpiritAero) August 30, 2018

The centre will focus on the development of the next generation of aircraft. It will also help develop the technology for composite materials and automated assembly used in the industry.

The First Minister also met modern apprentices working at the site.

She said:

Just before last year’s Programme for Government I visited Spirit AeroSystems to set out our ambition for Scotland to develop, design and manufacture the technologies and products of the future, backed by an extra £45 million for business research and development over the next three years.

“Research and development drives innovation and economic growth so it’s great to be back here to see that additional support helping not just Spirit, but also companies across Scotland develop new products.

“Today’s announcement underlines the importance of Prestwick as an aviation hub and as a key piece of Scotland’s industrial infrastructure, supporting jobs, investment and opportunity.”

NEWS: @ScotGovFM announces £4.8m of @scotent funding for @SpiritAero new open access aerospace innovation project in Prestwick. Designing and manufacturing the future of flight in Scotland. #ScotlandIsNow https://t.co/d97KUaq7AR pic.twitter.com/igUVBJOv3u

— Scot Enterprise News (@ScotEntNews) August 30, 2018

Read more about the funding announcement.