Bromsgrove manufacturer secures first studio school contract
A WORCESTERSHIRE manufacturer has secured its first studio school contract.
HME Technology, which supplies and installs design and technology equipment, has been appointed by the Isle of White Studio School.
The £100,000 contract will see the Bromsgrove-based business engineer equipment including CNC milling machines, lathes, laser cutters and routers.
Julian Davis, managing director of the firm, said: “This is something of a breakthrough for us.
“Studio schools are a relatively new concept in education, looking to pioneer a bold new approach to learning which includes teaching through enterprise projects and real work.
“The schools are being launched across the country and we hope this educational sector will provide further significant work.”
Isle of Wight Studio School in East Cowes caters for 400 students aged between 14 and 19 years old. It is sponsored by the Inspire Academy Trust, established by Southampton City College.
It will specialise in the marine manufacturing and offshore engineering sectors – there is a local labour market need for the specialisms.
Isle of Wight Studio School will work closely with employers such as wind turbine group Ventas Wind Systems, in order to equip youngsters for work.
Southampton Studio School, also set up by the college, has links to major employers such as Associated British Ports, BAE Systems, GKN Aerospace and the RNLI.
Studio Schools, the brainchild of the Manchester-based Studio Schools Trust, offer both academic and vocational qualifications.
Founded in 1984, HME Technology products include forges, brazing hearths, furnaces, welding tables, fume extraction systems, kilns, woodworking equipment, wood dust extraction systems, metal finishing, routers and CNC machines. It also supplies fume cupboards and ventilation systems for science departments.
