The Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology (MCMT) is now training over 60 young people studying towards their mechatronics, machining, tool making, welding and production operative apprenticeships.
Several different companies – including Caterpillar, Torus, Arconic Fastening Systems and Doncasters – recently sent new recruits to train with MCMT’s new technology and equipment, which range from CNC machines and metrology, through to fluid power systems, welding bays and robotics.
MCMT also stated that more than 30 additional apprentice places are available between now and the end of November, with further cohorts planned during the remainder of the next nine months.
Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology, operates a dedicated centre in Bridgnorth that predominantly provides mechatronic, machining, tool making and technology support apprenticeships and upskilling opportunities.
MCMT’s second training academy is located onsite at Salop Design & Engineering and offers apprenticeships in welding, general manufacturing and production.
The Shrewsbury facility also provides extensive training in warehousing and logistics, which includes forklift truck training.
Apprenticeship Levy reforms
Earlier this week, the government announced a package of reforms to the widely criticised Apprenticeship Levy.
The changes are aimed at providing flexibility for businesses so they can take advantage of the benefits of employing apprentices.
An extra £90m of government funding will reportedly enable employers to invest a quarter of their apprenticeship funds on people working for businesses in their supply chain.
A further £5m was also announced for the Institute for Apprenticeships to introduce new standards and updating existing ones, so that more courses can be offered.
Case study: Bentley Motors recruit
As the company prepares to celebrate its centenary year, Bentley Motors has recruited a new intake of apprentices, undergraduates and graduates to its 4,000-strong workforce.
Out of the 83 new recruits, 40 apprentices will start training at the company’s headquarters in Crewe, bringing the current number of apprentices to nearly 140.
You may also be interested in reading:
- Lloyds Bank commits further £5m to address UK skills gap
- Parents don’t want their children to work in manufacturing
- Robots could create double the jobs they displace by 2022
- Apprenticeships key to improving UK social mobility
- Could skilled jobs follow more basic manufacturing out of Britain?
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