WMG News - Latest news from WMG

Following its successful launch last year, the UK’s only battery safety conference – Battery Safety UK – will return to the University of Warwick in May. Hosted by WMG, the event will bring together the brightest minds in battery research to help supercharge the future of energy.

During January, representatives from WMG met with MPs, local government officials, as well as staff and students from the WMG Academy for Young Engineers in Solihull, strengthening relationships across education, industry, and government.

With 20% of the UK’s engineering workforce due to retire within the next five years, and the Government predicting that 1.9 million STEM professionals will be needed within the next decade, nurturing young talent has never been more important. Industry Day at WMG returned for its fourth consecutive year to help do just that.

Delivered by WMG’s Outreach and Widening Participation team, the event is designed to spark interest in engineering careers in children aged 11 to 14.

Two departments at the University of Warwick, Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) and the Department of Physics, are collaborating on a new project to develop advanced shielding materials and technologies for power generation using nuclear fusion.

By combining cutting-edge physics research with WMG’s expertise in innovative materials and manufacturing, academics from both departments aim to bring sustainable fusion energy a step closer to reality.

The Solihull & Coventry Automated Links Evolution (SCALE) project, a pioneering partnership led by Solihull Council and supported by Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), University of Warwick, is pleased to announce that the latest phase is now live.

Marking a major milestone, a fleet of autonomous shuttles have begun operating for the first time along the full 7km route between Resorts World, the NEC (including access to Birmingham International Train Station), and Birmingham Business Park (BBP).

Experts at Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), University of Warwick, have received funding from Responsible AI UK (RAI UK) to investigate how artificial intelligence can be deployed online safely, fairly and effectively.

WMG is one of 11 institutions awarded a share of £200,000 in collaboration grants, uniting universities, NHS Trusts, civil society groups and industry partners in support of the UK Government’s mission to maximise the benefits of AI while managing its risks.

The grants focus on four priority areas that reflect national needs and the UK Government’s AI mission:

• AI sustainability

• AI deployment costs and benefits

• AI skills

• AI engineering

Dr Benjamin Silverstone, Head of Skills Policy and Strategy at WMG, welcomes the publication of the UK Transport Committee’s ‘Engine for Growth: Securing Skills for Transport Manufacturing’ report. He said, "It represents a strong indication from elected officials that they recognise the challenges faced by the transport sector in recruiting, training and retaining talent — and that they see how adjustments to existing skills systems can help industry to achieve its aims."

WMG staff and students came together to honour the outstanding achievements of the class of 2026 at University of Warwick’s Winter Graduation.

Graduation is a defining moment in the University’s calendar — and the culmination of ambition, resilience, and hard work.

This year’s winter celebrations saw more than 1,100 WMG students receive their degrees.

Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) has enjoyed strong connections to Indian industry since its creation in 1980. As national relationships deepen between the UK and India, including the signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) in July 2025, there is a huge opportunity for mutual benefit.

Warwick's relationship with the Tata Group is a wonderful example of what can be achieved. The pioneering partnership was recognised when it won the Royal Academy of EngineeringLink opens in a new window’s highly esteemed Bhattacharyya AwardLink opens in a new window in October 2025.

Professor Siddartha Khastgir, Head of Safe Autonomy at WMG, University of Warwick, said, "We are glad to see the UK Government is taking a bold step to improve the safety of the roads by publishing this national road safety strategy.