Chris Cooper, head of engineering at DMG Mori UK, and previous technical expert for the WorldSkills event, supported and encouraged McCarthy to enter the national WorldSkills UK finals at the NEC in November 2017, where he won the silver medal in the ‘CNC Turning’ discipline. At the WorldSkills finals in Russia, some 1,600 young participants from 60 countries will compete against each other in 56 disciplines. Over 250,000 visitors are expected at the event.
DMG Mori is a Global Industry Partner of WorldSkills International, supports national WorldSkills competitions in many countries, and is a Platinum Partner at WorldSkills Kazan 2019. This year, the machine tool manufacturer is supplying 46 machines to Russia for use during the competition. DMG Mori also makes its Coventry facilities available for milling and turning team training, further supporting the WorldSkills competitions. Competitors in Kazan will be using the CTX310 turn-mill machine. The CTX310 has three axes and driven-tool capabilities, enabling competitors to perform turning, grooving and boring operations, along with both axial and radial milling tool paths. Being familiar with these machines will be an advantage for McCarthy.
Now that the competitors have been selected, training and education is increased, prompting competitors to perform to the best of their ability. They will be showcasing their skills on a worldwide platform, therefore the smallest margins can make a big difference.
McCarthy’s training process starts with a back to basics course at Training 2000 College and in DMG Mori’s Coventry facility, which will be followed by coaching at Loughborough University to simulate the competition environment and nurture a winning mentality.
During training, monitoring processes will inform expectations and projections of performance. More interim training will help McCarthy to familiarise himself with competitors through trips to other countries, and improve his own performance under pressure, including time management and working in front of an audience. Through this training process, McCarthy and other entrants will have the opportunity to meet and learn, in an environment that gets them ready for the event in Kazan.
The competition is held over four days, with competitors flying out as a team. McCarthy will be expected to work to a set brief, competing in one module each day. A new batch production task is one of the practical elements in the CNC Turning event this year. Pairs of parts from the batch will be selected at random by judges to check for fit, finish and uniformity. Competitors will be assessed on core competencies, using inspection equipment, mirroring industry best practice. Marks will also be awarded for workplace skills, such as positive attitude to work, good communications and adaptability. Competitors will also be using Mastercam CADCAM software to prepare their CNC programs.
WorldSkills Kazan 2019 is to be streamed live on TV and social media, and will be held at a new purpose built facility, the Kazan Expo International Exhibition Centre.
Steve Finn, managing director of DMG Mori UK, says: “We are investing in Jack McCarthy’s education, skills and productivity, enabling him to bring new knowledge and experience back to the company, following the WorldSkills event, which we can then share with customers and our team. His success will demonstrate that young people in our industry have a lot to contribute in terms of knowledge and skill, which will be an inspiration to other young people, showing them what can be achieved. For companies within the industry it demonstrates the benefits of training and apprenticeships, and the value that new talent can bring to advanced manufacturing.”