£2.5m investment to open new training centres across Shropshire
New training centres are set to open across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Herefordshire, as part of a £2.5m initiative to improve skills in manufacturing, engineering and construction.
To tackle staff shortages in these areas, funding from the Government’s Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) has been provided to the Marches Education Partnership, which includes Herefordshire, Ludlow and North Shropshire College, Shrewsbury College and Telford College, working alongside local training providers.
The funds will be used to buy new equipment and technology for 14 new training centres, which will offer new courses and updated facilities, including workshops and classrooms with industry-standard tools.
Several projects are launching soon, with Herefordshire Ludlow and North Shropshire College improving its automation facilities with new technology like PLCs, CNC lathes and cyber-physical systems.
They will also introduce facilities for innovative green technology solutions.
Shrewsbury College is set to unveil a new advanced fabrication and welding facility in October, featuring robotic welding, laser cutters, and CNC press brakes.
The facility will expand training options for students and apprentices and offer specialized upskilling courses.
Telford College is launching 16 short courses, with local engineers testing modules on printed circuit board design and repair and micro soldering techniques.
They recently completed a six-hour course on foundation soldering and PCB design, combining theory with practical training.
The Herefordshire and Worcestershire Group Training Association has opened a new Automation Workshop, which will begin training programs this autumn, including courses on PLCs and robotics.
In-Comm Training is also launching a new automation cell at its technical academy in Telford, featuring a 6-axis ABB Industrial robot and a conveyor system for hands-on experience with real-world manufacturing scenarios.
These initiatives are an investment in the region’s workforce, helping develop skills needed for a competitive and tech-driven economy.
