Hurco sells machines into EEF training centre

"The WinMax software allows us to teach conversational programming on a control that also accepts cycles prepared externally as blocks of G and M code," says Peter Winebloom, the EEF's technical training director. "Many of our member companies have Hurco machines on their shop floors, so it makes sense to train students on equipment they are likely to encounter afterwards. It is all part of our strategy to support the sector by providing work-ready employees with skills that are fit for purpose." All of the machine controls are networked to an adjacent CAE training department, which has standardised on Delcam prismatic and turning CAM software embedded in SolidWorks CAD. Part of EEF's rationale for opening the new training centre was the significant increase in student numbers since the recession. Over 400 apprentices are in full-time or day-release training at any one time, 160 at the Aston centre and the remainder at their employers' premises. In addition, about 50 mature operators of CNC machine tools are retrained each year. As well as improving practical skills, the courses involve academic studies that lead to City & Guilds or National Diploma qualifications. An increasing number of students are going on to complete HNCs, HNDs and degrees. While the existing machining centres at Aston are 3-axis models, the training centre intends to install fourth and fifth axes later this year to extend the scope of the training it offers.