Apprentices get fired up about manufacturing at new foundry
The first group of manufacturing apprentices are getting fired up at the University of Wolverhampton’s National Foundry Training Centre in Tipton.
The foundry is part of the Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills – a collaboration between the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership, University of Wolverhampton, Dudley College, Cast Metals Federation, Confederation of British Metalforming, Institute of Cast Metals Engineers and In-Comm Training.
Partners have invested £12.6 million in the future of manufacturing in the region by opening bespoke, dedicated training centres and working with existing training providers to equip people with manufacturing skills including casting, toolmaking, patternmaking, metalforming, and foundry training, as well as mechatronics, product design and development and advanced computer numerical control.
40 apprentices from manufacturing companies across the Black Country, Birmingham, Leicester, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Sheffield are currently studying for Level 3 qualifications in patternmaking, metalforming and toolmaking.
Ian Fitzpatrick, chief executive of the ECMS, said: “It’s wonderful to see our first cohort of apprentices bringing the National Training Foundry to life.
“The University of Wolverhampton, with partner organisations, has invested in the future of manufacturing in the region by opening dedicated training centres to equip people with an array of manufacturing skills – some of which have not been seen in the Black Country for years.
“On the doorstep of the Black Country, apprenticeships are on offer for the industries that formed the back-bone of the industrial revolution. Toolmaking, foundry, patternmaking, metalforming are being revived, finding their place alongside training in mechatronics, product design and development and advanced computer numerical control.”
All apprenticeships meet the New Apprenticeship Standards with a variety of delivery models available.
Employers or potential apprentices should contact Trevor Codner at the ECMS on 01902 322500 or 01902 321955.
Elias Costas, aged 20, from Wolverhampton is one of the apprentices studying at the Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills.
After studying at Dudley College, gaining Level 1 and 2 City & Guilds (merit) and a Level 2 BTEC qualification (distinction) in Engineering, he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do and, following family advice, he started to look for a job that matched his qualifications.
He secured a job at the Phoenix Pattern and Tool Company based in Heathtown, Wolverhampton. The business revolves around the manufacture of models and tooling in various materials to service industry.
Elias said: “I’ve been employed for a year with Phoenix and I’m really using the skills I’m learning on my apprenticeship course – especially machining and CAD software. It’s a really good starting point for my career progression.
“The great thing about an apprenticeship is that it offers skills. I have the qualifications, but what I need is a good range of on-the-job skills.
“I’m hoping that my apprenticeship will eventually lead me to possibly studying for a degree in Engineering and hopefully a management position in the future.”
