On Tuesday 20th October 2026, Richard Quigley MP led a debate in Westminster Hall on manufacturing skills, using the opportunity to showcase the Isle of Wight’s thriving advanced manufacturing sector and its growing role in shaping the UK’s industrial future.
During the debate, Richard highlighted a number of innovative Island businesses, including GKN, BAE Systems, Vestas, Rheinmetall, Wight Shipyard, Diverse Marine, Johnson Electric and In-flight Peripherals Ltd (IFPL), praising their contribution to economic growth, technological innovation and highly skilled employment.
Showing no signs of slowing down
Richard stated,
“What is particularly exciting is that we are showing no signs of slowing down. New investment, growing businesses and the development of future skills are helping to ensure that the Isle of Wight remains at the forefront of advanced manufacturing for years to come.
“Far from being a peripheral economy, the Island is helping to shape the industries of the future and proving that innovation can thrive in every corner of the country.”
Skills Summit brings employers and educators together
As skills were a central theme of the debate, Richard also highlighted the work of the Isle of Wight Skills Group, which brings together many of the Island’s leading manufacturers, employers and education providers.
He pointed to the group’s second annual Skills and Growth Summit, hosted by his office less than two weeks ago, where businesses, colleges and training providers met to discuss how to strengthen the local talent pipeline, align training with employer needs and ensure Islanders have the skills required to take advantage of new opportunities being created across the economy.
Richard said,
“Just two weeks ago, my office hosted its second annual Skills Summit, where we brought together Island employers, educational institutions and training providers to discuss how we ensure that local people have the skills needed for the jobs being created on their doorstep.
“Because there is little value in securing new investment and new manufacturing opportunities if local young people are not equipped to take advantage of them.”
Minister: investment must go hand-in-hand with people
Responding on behalf of the government Minister Lilian Greenwood MP said,
“I want to congratulate my honourable friend for securing this important debate. As he set out the Isle of Wight punches above its weight in advanced manufacturing and businesses including Wight shipyard, Diverse Marine, GKN aerospace, demonstrate the breadth of modern British manufacturing.
“He’s right that this isn’t simply about preserving Britain’s industrial heritage, it’s about building the industry supply chains and skilled careers of the future. And I particularly welcome his focus on the new Large Structures Innovation Centre (LSIC) and the Isle of Wight College’s Specialist Centre of Excellence for Composites, Advanced Manufacturing and Marine (CECAMM).
“Investment in facilities and innovation must go hand-in-hand with investment in people so that employers have access to workers with the skills they need and local people can benefit from the opportunities being created.”
The debate provided an opportunity to demonstrate how the Isle of Wight’s manufacturing success is being matched by efforts to develop the skilled workforce needed to support future growth, ensuring local people can benefit from the high-quality jobs and opportunities being created across the Island.
News shared by the office of Richard Quigley MP. Ed
