Manufacturers welcome six-figure machinery investment

A £500,000 investment by East Riding College in manufacturing and engineering machinery to upskill local workforces has been welcomed by some of the region’s largest firms.

The Beverley-based college, which is part of the TEC Partnership group of education providers, has purchased four pieces of specialist equipment that will help businesses train their employees in the latest production technology, boosting both workers’ skills and business efficiency.

The new machinery has been demonstrated to representatives from companies including JR Rix and Sons, Atlas Leisure Homes and Cranswick plc.

Andy Harris, director of Dearing Plastics, which designs and makes plastic products and components, said: “We pride ourselves on high levels of customer satisfaction, which relies on a combination of first-class service, fast and effective production equipment and – most importantly – professional, fully-trained staff with technical expertise and practical know-how.

“The investment East Riding College has made in its new equipment, and the flexibility of the packages to train local workers in using them, will be of great benefit to local manufacturing and production businesses.”

Chris Dodsworth, East Riding College’s head of faculty (Automotive, Construction and Engineering), said: “We were happy to welcome businesses and showcase not just our new equipment but also the breadth of training options we can offer them.

“These businesses are already successful and clearly committed to ensuring their employees have the skills they need to fuel their future growth.

“Our investment in the new machinery and learning packages will enable us to support them in their growth ambitions by upskilling their current workforce and building the skills of the next generation of workers.”

The new equipment – a six-axis measuring machine, metallurgy testing machine, robotic arm programming machine and 360-degree camera research kit – is typically used in engineering and manufacturing, including toolmaking and fabrication.