by Harry Hunter | Fri 03 Jul 2026
CEA and Enginuity formalise partnership
The Construction Equipment Association (CEA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Enginuity to strengthen support for SMEs across the engineering and manufacturing supply chain.
The agreement establishes a three-year partnership focused on skills development, workforce planning and ensuring the construction equipment sector is better represented in national skills policy. Central to the collaboration is Enginuity's Policy Centre for Supply Chain and SMEs, which aims to improve workforce capability through evidence-based research and employer engagement.
The CEA will contribute industry insight from its members to help shape policy, research and future skills initiatives, while also encouraging participation in apprenticeships, pilot programmes and workforce development projects.
CEA Chief Executive Officer Viki Bell said:
"Skills remain one of the biggest issues facing our members, particularly SMEs that are already dealing with day-to-day pressures around recruitment, retention, productivity and business confidence.
"Formalising our relationship with Enginuity gives us a stronger route to make sure the views of construction equipment employers are heard where it matters. Our members have first-hand knowledge of the skills gaps affecting the sector, and this partnership gives us a practical way to feed that insight into policy, research and future skills planning.
"This is about making sure support for engineering and manufacturing SMEs is based on real employer need, not assumptions. By working with Enginuity, we can help connect our members with useful programmes, research and policy work that supports the long-term strength of the supply chain."
Enginuity Chief Executive Officer Ann Watson MBE added:
"Working with the CEA gives Enginuity direct access to valuable employer insight from an important part of the UK engineering and manufacturing supply chain. SMEs are central to the sector's strength, and this partnership will help ensure their needs are better understood and reflected in future skills policy and support."
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