MAE partners in Ennis
Introduction
What happens when Europe’s brightest minds in aerospace converge in one place? The fourth Interreg MAE meeting in Ennis answered this question by spotlighting how innovation, interregional collaboration, and sustainable practices are transforming aerospace. With keynote speeches, on-site visits, and dynamic workshops, the event not only assessed progress but also laid out actionable plans for an industry poised for growth.
Why Is Ennis Central to Aerospace Conversations?
Clare County has positioned itself as a vital hub for aerospace, leveraging assets like Shannon Airport—home to one of the world’s longest runways and a historical site for Concorde testing. Local government representatives, led by Padraic McElwee of Clare County Council, emphasized their commitment to bolstering the aerospace supply chain, attracting international investments, and ensuring sustainable growth.
Overcoming Challenges: Bridging the Skills Gap
While Clare boasts a vibrant aerospace ecosystem, local SMEs often struggle to attract top talent, competing against global multinationals. The MAE project’s solution? Interregional collaboration and workforce retraining programs designed to upskill individuals from traditional industries, meeting the evolving demands of aerospace.
Day 1: Innovation and Exploration
Student Innovation Takes the Spotlight
The DANU Project: A Vision for Space Sustainability
One of the most memorable highlights came from students at St. Flannan’s College, presenting their groundbreaking DANU project. This ambitious initiative proposes solar shields at the Lagrange L1 point to create conditions for human life in space. The project embodies youthful ingenuity and the vital role of educational institutions in fostering future aerospace leaders.
Local Excellence in Action: Site Visits
The first day of the meeting featured visits to several standout organizations in Clare County’s aerospace ecosystem. These visits offered real-world examples of how innovation and collaboration drive success:
Takumi Precision Engineering
Takumi, a key member of the Emerald Aerogroup cluster, exemplifies how SMEs can expand internationally through strategic partnerships and precision engineering expertise.
Technical University of Shannon (TUS)
A hub for cutting-edge research and customized training programs, TUS bridges the skills gap by aligning academic initiatives with industry needs.
Future Mobility Campus Ireland
Focused on drone and autonomous vehicle technology, this advanced center has demonstrated remarkable adaptability, particularly during the pandemic, to remain a leader in mobility innovation.
Shannon Precision Engineering
This family-owned SME leveraged its collaboration within the Emerald Aerogroup cluster to successfully diversify into the aerospace sector, unlocking new growth opportunities.
Day 2: Advancing Policies and Partnerships
The second day of the event was hosted at Enterprise Ireland’s Westpark office and emphasized actionable strategies for innovation and sustainability in aerospace.
Keynote Sessions: A Deep Dive into Best Practices
Enterprise Ireland: Business Support Programs
Enterprise Ireland showcased its comprehensive programs tailored to support SMEs in sustainability and innovation, particularly within Ireland’s thriving aircraft leasing and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Explore Engineering: Tackling Talent Shortages
This initiative bridges academia and industry, involving over 60 companies to train future professionals while promoting gender diversity in engineering.
Regional Skills Forum
Focused on practical tools, the forum provides free training and resources to help businesses address critical skills gaps.
Shannon Airport Group: Sustainability Goals
The group’s ambitious plans include decarbonizing operations and transitioning to electric fleets, cementing its role as a leader in sustainable aviation.
Interactive Workshops: Partner Collaboration in Action
Participants engaged in an inventive workshop, exchanging questions via paper airplanes. This playful yet effective exercise fostered dynamic discussions on best practices and strategies for improving local policies and partnerships.
Key Outcomes and Next Steps
Good Practices Cloud
Giulia Bubbolini provided updates on the project’s cloud repository of good practices. Plans for bilateral study visits aim to enhance knowledge sharing across regions.
Drafting the Roadmap
Lorenzo Ciapetti introduced a draft roadmap detailing actionable policy measures. Irene Pettinelli emphasized aligning these measures with Interreg Europe’s criteria to achieve formal recognition as policy improvements.