MTC stages open events to attract more would-be apprentices
THE Manufacturing Technology Centre is opening its doors to local young people, their parents, teachers and careers advisors as part of a series of events designed to encourage more young people to pursue careers in engineering.
This year’s events will showcase some of the ground-breaking work MTC apprentices are involved in. Visitors will be able to meet current apprentices and those who have successfully completed courses at the centre.
Tim Kyte, apprentice training manager at the MTC, said: “Our open evenings are a great opportunity for everyone to see just how varied, exciting, dynamic and diverse engineering can be.
“Potential apprentices can gain an insight into our training programmes and the various options available for moving into industry or for furthering study. Apprenticeships offer an attractive alternative for all, enabling potential apprentices to develop skills needed by industry, all while being paid.
“Few other industries promise such strong job opportunities or the chance to be involved in the discovery of new technologies that tackle global issues such as climate change; or that save lives and keep society moving.”
With women accounting for just 8.7% of professional engineers in the UK, attracting more females into the field of engineering is one of the centre’s priorities. The centre has always been proactive in recruiting women and has a higher than average percentage of female engineers across the business, as well as female apprentices.
The MTC is recruiting 40 apprentices to start in September 2015. This year’s recruits will be the first to benefit from the facilities provided in the brand new £36m advanced manufacturing training centre, which will be a hub of the National College for Advanced Manufacturing.
Apprentices will develop skills and confidence in areas that underpin high value manufacturing, such as intelligent automation, additive layer manufacture, robotics, metrology, mechatronics, computer aided design (CAD) and computer aided machining (CAM). They will be able to test and develop their skills in sponsored placements, including the opportunity to undertake international assignments.
As part of their training, they will have unrivalled access to gain experience from the 80+ members of the purpose-built centre, which is home to some of the most exciting research into advanced manufacturing methods and processes being undertaken anywhere in the world.
The open evenings take place between 6 and 7.30pm on Thursday June 25 and Thursday July 9.
Anyone interested in attending should email apprentice@the-mtc.org
