As we indicated two years ago in this section, in Spring 2012 we began another process of strategic reflection. This process set out the general lines of action to be developed until 2015.

It was a rapid and effective process. Not surprisingly, by the autumn of 2012, we had already detected the challenges facing the sector for which HEGAN could provide its members with support:

• Strengthen the value chain.
• Improve our position with certain clients.
• Represent the sector.
• Provide background information for strategic decision-making.
• Generate, retain and attract talent.
• Specific training.

And all of these activities were based on a common principle: the culture of cooperation.

A complete review was also made of our organisation. Since then we have worked according to processes and projects. In 2014, a new version of the model was drawn up, which looks like this:

Although during this two-year period we have tried to focus on the first two challenges (those we considered to be linked directly to improving the competitiveness of our members), we have also worked on the others (they are all inter-dependent). These were the most significant activities in 2014:

Strengthen the value chain (R1):

• Support for the setting up of an Advanced Training Centre in the field of aerospace, the main aim of which is to demonstrate advanced manufacturing technologies that allow rapid transfer of the results of basic and applied research to the production environment.
• Put our apprenticeship communities into motion (a joint process of training, sharing learning with other similar professional roles), in which 8 general managers from different companies have taken part.
• Strengthen the aero structures value chain through business innovation among several suppliers.
• Support for the European SPACE Project lead by AIRBUS to improve the competitiveness of the aero structures supply chain. HEGAN has been accepted as Honorary Partner of this initiative to which 7 HEGAN members have joined.
• Monitoring of the civil responsibility insurance opportunities agreed upon by COMPITTE HEGAN and SRC aero to reduce the insurance costs of our members.
• Monitoring of the agreement with Banco Sabadell. Six members (3 in process) and 8 non-members have benefited from this joint economic solution.

Provide background information for strategic decision-making (R4):

• We continue to provide permanent support for the “Competitive Intelligence System of the Cluster”, doubling the number of users.
• We have taken part in the EAQG (European Aerospace Quality Group) since 2003.

Positioning with certain clients (R2):

• Strategic positioning of a group of companies with a target client. A pilot process has been prepared and an interest group has been set up to approach the company in question with joint offers.
• Support for the participation in BM and trade fairs including AIRTEC Frankfurt and AEROMART Tolouse together with the Basque Chambers of Commerce. The PARIS AIR SHOW 2013 project has been completed and the 2015 show is being prepared.
• AEROTRENDS: The assessment of the 2013 event has been completed and the 2015 event is being prepared.

Generate, keep and attract talent (R5) and create specific sector training (R6):

• Participation in talent-related shows and events and the provision of training, in collaboration with HETEL – association of private vocational training centres of the Basque Country – to define areas of vocational training work for the aero sector and coordinating other activities with BIZKAIA TALENT, an entity promoted by the Department of Economic Promotion of the Provincial Council of Bizkaia (DFB-BFA) to attract and keep talent in the Bilbao-Bizkaia-Basque Country area.
• Monitoring the participation of HEGAN, through IMH (Machine Tool Institute) and HETEL, in the SKILLS HUB Project that aims to exchange European experiences in the world of vocational training.
• An agreement has been signed between the Basque Government (EJGV), DFB-BFA, University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU) and HEGAN to extend the aeronautics course of the Basque University for another four years with the contribution of companies in the form of grants, internships and economic support.

Communications and representation (R3):

• Cluster image and communications: new website contents, new digital annual report by means of Microsite and modified promotional catalogue. Relations with the media, press releases, interviews and articles covering news in the sector. The number of appearances in the media have doubled those in 2013.
• Interviews and negotiations with potential members.

Generate a culture of cooperation (R7) and other internal improvement activities:

• Actions in cooperation for the management of work groups and support for the internal management of the association. Useful and effective meetings for the participants of these work groups, committees, board of management, assemblies and members meetings with a person-centred organisation.
• Moreover, this year has seen the awarding by the European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis of the Bronze medal and the incorporation of three more members: BOST, DYFA and EYHER.