This equipment is intended to support the delivery of the extended CNC programming, machine tool maintenance, cutting tool technology and material science programmes that MGTS offers as part of a higher level training schedule.
The partnership between MGTS and XYZ came about through the engineering training umbrella organisation Group Training Associations England (GTA), where XYZ is a Premium Partner, offering support to member organisations. Explains John Aspinall, education sales director at XYZ Machine Tools: “At XYZ, we recognise the importance of training and developing skills, which is why we are happy to invest our time and resources working with individual training establishments and associations such as GTA. By being able to provide the range of machines and support required by training organisations such as MGTS, which are making significant steps to change the way in which engineering skills are being transferred to a new generation, we are able to ensure that students can make the transition from manual to CNC, and be prepared for life back at their employer.”
MGTS provides basic NVQ foundation level training in turning, milling and fitting, which it calls its Bronze level. From this foundation, the training provider then differentiates itself via Silver, Gold and Platinum levels. Here, employers are able to align training with their strategic ambitions, giving them a much greater return on investment. These are the higher levels that XYZ machinery will support.
Says MGTS chief executive Lee Weatherly: “This decision to add intensity to our training delivery came out of austerity; while others when faced with cutbacks reduced what they provided, we were determined to go the other way and enhance our programmes to deliver greater value. With our ability to tailor training as part of a strategic review with our customers, we are simply giving the customer what they need after listening to what they want. In this way, we are able to avoid any disconnect between training qualifications and industry.”
And he adds: “Working in technical partnership with XYZ Machine Tools is allowing us to develop our upskilling of training. They have a desire to share their knowledge with us and talk to us in educational terms, not purely machine tools. Add to that the excellent package of training and support that they offer and we will certainly maintain the momentum and invest in additional machines. That said, we have no intention of following in the footsteps of others and investing in high-end, multi-axis machines. Our focus is on developing machine tool skills through manual machines to CNC and adding to them along the way.”
While offering apprenticeships and training in general engineering, MGTS’ key focus is maintenance skills within the food manufacturing sector, counting many household names among its customers. “People are often amazed at the amount of engineering that takes place in what are seen as non-engineering environments, such as food manufacture. These businesses are not engineering-driven, but are totally reliant on engineering to keep production running, so training to the highest standard is vital for these businesses,” offers Weatherly.
MGTS has a history going back 45 years, over which it has trained thousands of apprentices. The training provider has a growing cohort of apprentices, currently standing at over 200 per year.
XYZ Machine Tools has machines installed at more than 200 universities, colleges and training establishments across the UK. The company has created its Educational Partnership Scheme, which provides enhanced support, including additional learning resources, from technical manuals to face-to-face training for technicians, trainers and students alike.
