In-Comm Training unveiled the 24,000 sq ft training space in Aldridge on Friday, which has seen no fewer than 12 manufacturers contributing investment, expertise and input into its creation.
Located in Vigo Place, the state-of-the-art centre has been backed by £733,000 of Black Country LEP Growth Deal funding and is fitted out with world class CNC machine tools, automation, a robotics line, metrology, fluid power stations and a dedicated electrical and electronics section.
It will also house material testing, material handling and grinding capabilities, as well as a 16-seater Mastercam and CIMCO CADCAM studio to help students develop their design for manufacturing skills.
In-Comm Training MD Gareth Jones said: “This is a transformational project for the region and will ensure SME manufacturers have the capabilities and skills to remain competitive.
“The investment will create an additional 420 Trailblazer Apprenticeship places between now and 2022, whilst also providing 1,250 advanced learning opportunities. And this isn’t basic training; this is training that will explore automation, prototyping, R&D, operational excellence and real-time data analysis.”
Over 200 people attended the official launch, with delegates given a guided tour of the centre and the chance to speak to trainers, current apprentices and manufacturers already benefitting from bridging the ‘competency gap’.
They also heard how the vision started with an open forum involving local employers highlighting some of the major skills issues they faced and what technology/machinery they would like their staff to be trained on.
Jones continued: “This facility will help SMEs gain access to application engineers and state-of-the-art technology, which will allow them to product develop and process map prior to installing manufacturing cells into their factories. It’s the future of skills provision.”
