Engineering firm plans network of training academies

A Warwickshire engineering company is helping to promote both skills development and diversity in the workplace by establishing a network of training academies around the UK.

Engineering Technology Group (ETG), which supplies specialist machine tools, is also utilising the talents of its newest Technical Coordinator to enhance its range of services.

Chloe Reeve, 23, (pictured) is running training courses with ETG clients just four years after she herself joined the business as an apprentice.

In one of her latest courses at the group’s Technical Academy Network she helped put three employees from specialist tool manufacturer Guhring through their paces.

Her role enables her to offer the group’s clients detailed programming courses on the majority of the machines ETG supplies.

“The training I’ve just completed at the Technical Academy at Guhring was my 25th course and will give three of their operators all the skills they need to produce the high precision parts they (supply),” she said.

ETG, which employs 100 people at its headquarters in Wellesbourne, is looking to role out its Academy model further as it tries to help future engineers bridge the skills gap.

The Technical Academy Network, launched earlier this year at an event held at Norton Motorcycles, is hoped to be the first of a network of 14 similar facilities around the UK.

Each location will be equipped with the latest CNC machine tools, precision technology, automation and software, with the aim of creating advanced manufacturing cells capable of training young people, existing workers and supporting SMEs with production issues.

Agreements are already in place with Guhring at its new base at Birmingham’s Advanced Manufacturting Hub, the Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology (MCMT) in Bridgnorth and other facilities in Aldridge, Shrewsbury, Warwickshire, Tayside in Scotland and in Ireland.

Negotiations are currently underway with additional partners in Lincolnshire, Northern Ireland, the North East, the South East, the South West and in the Thames Valley.

Steve Smith, Technical Academies Manager, said: “We are also using the Academies to host special Technology Days, where we can showcase the latest machines, tooling and CAD/CAM software programming from technical partner Mastercam.”

He said the next event, at Guhring, would focus on new milling, drilling and reaming products.

He said the role of Ms Reeve’s in this should not be overlooked.

“Chloe has been a fantastic addition to the team, showing what can be achieved if you take the time to invest in young people,” he said.