Coleg Cambria, which has more than 7,000 full-time and 20,000 part-time students, has made a large investment in manufacturing equipment from 600 UK to meet the training needs of some high profile construction and aerospace employers in the region.
Explains assistant principal Nick Lyon: “When we developed this Engineering Technology Centre in Cambria, we were really keen to ensure the fundamental engineering aspects of machining were maintained. We’ve had a great relationship with 600 Group over many years and the equipment has always been high quality and most importantly, my learners enjoy using the machines.
“To meet industry standards, you have to have industry standard equipment and the 600 Group with the Colchester and Clausing machines can give us that quality, accuracy and the fundamental basics of what learners need in industry. This year we had 14 learners in the world skills competition at the NEC and two returned with medals in the CNC category, whilst apprentices from JCB and Magellan aerospace picked up medals in the manufacturing challenge.
“Working with the likes of the 600 Group you are being exposed to state-of-the-art equipment. It really doesn’t get any better. Once students progress from manual machines we also have three CNC lathes and 3 CNC mills, so learners are exposed to the complete machine shop environment.”
The order comprised of 14 Harrison M300 lathes, six Clausing 3VS milling machines, three Clausing pillar drills and a Clausing bandsaw.
Adds Colchester Machine Tool Solutions sales director Paul Rushworth: ‘Our ability to supply and project manage a range of industry ready education machine tools as a one-stop-shop for customers to specify their exact requirements is the key to our continued success in the education sector and the Coleg Cambria facility demonstrates that perfectly.”
