The West Midlands has been chosen as the base for a national programme which will support the aims of the Aerospace Growth Partnership to maintain the UK’s global position in the aerospace market.

The National Aerospace Technology Programme (NATEP) is a £40million programme to help innovate technologies for new products or manufacturing processes. The Coventry-based programme is designed to create or retain 1,200 jobs in this valuable supply chain.

More than 30 small and medium sized suppliers have already applied for a share of the NATEP funding to help develop future technologies.

Five industry experts based at the University of Warwick Science Park’s Business Innovation Centre will work with a team in each of the UK’s regional aerospace alliances in programme managing NATEP and engaging with UK aerospace supply chain players in delivering 100 new technologies in the sector.

Dave Dawson, programme director, said: “The aim of the programme is to aid innovation in UK aerospace sector in order to allow us to produce new technologies at a greater rate than our competitors.”

Rolls Royce, Airbus, Bombardier, Spirit Aerosystems, GKN and AgustaWestland, are the companies sponsoring the programme.

Penny Robb, the centre manager at the University of Warwick Science Park’s Business Innovation Centre in Binley, said: “This is a fantastic initiative designed to encourage greater innovation in a huge industry.”

NATEP will be managed by aerospace trade organisation ADS.