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The University of Wolverhampton’s Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills (ECMS) has formed an exciting partnership with In-Comm Training to help boost UK manufacturing skills.

The ECMS’ new National Press and Tooling Centre will be located at the training provider’s Aldridge academy and will focus on delivering toolmaking apprenticeships and technical courses for more than 2000 people.

Over £1.4m has been invested in creating a modern toolroom that features a host of new equipment and two 110 tonne state-of-the-art presses sourced by Bruderer UK and Worcester Presses - complete with the latest servo feed, decoiling equipment and robotics.

A £500,000 state-of-the-art BSTA-280 tonne press will also be arriving in November to complete the line-up.

Gareth Jones, Managing Director at In-Comm Training, said: “We have listened to what industry wants and designed a centre that is equipped with world class machinery and where world class training will be delivered by some of the finest technical experts in the business.

“No other organisation in the Midlands is currently offering this kind of training facility and we are expecting demand to be huge, especially with toolmaking considered a dying manufacturing art.

He continued: “We already have a very strong relationship with the University of Wolverhampton, having worked with them on a number of previous projects. Together, we are looking forward to welcoming our first intake of apprentices and supporting more manufacturers in the Midlands and the rest of the UK.”

Ian Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive of the ECMS, added his support: “It’s well known that the manufacturing industry has an ageing workforce and that bespoke training courses -specifically matching industry requirements - can be quite difficult to source.

“Our aim at the ECMS is to give our learners a clear line of sight and a career pathway from Levels 2, 3 and 4, through to Higher National Certificate and Diploma and then Degree Apprenticeships. By partnering with organisations such as In-Comm we can offer a complete or bespoke training package for the manufacturing sector through both practical and theoretical learning.”

In-Comm Training, which operates its own Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ academy in Aldridge and the Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology in Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury, is one of the UK’s leading training providers, working across more than 10 sectors and with 250 different companies.

It delivers over 500 apprenticeships every year and more than 100 bitesize and in-depth training courses, covering business improvement techniques, quality, lean manufacturing and applications engineering.

The boss of Bentley Motors has been awarded an honorary degree from the University of Wolverhampton for his successful career drive.

Adrian Hallmark, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bentley Motors and a graduate of the University, has been awarded a Doctor of Engineering in recognition of his achievements and contribution to manufacturing and engineering during the course of his career.

Adrian joined Bentley Motors in February this year as Chairman and CEO. He started his career as a technical apprentice in engineering with NEI Thompson and, after five years’ part-time study and training, worked as a mechanical design engineer before starting in the retail automotive sector in 1984.

He joined Porsche in 1990 and was promoted to Group Managing Director in 10 years, joining Bentley first time around in 1999 as board member for sales and marketing when he was 36. In 2005 he became CEO of Volkswagen in America followed by a period for VW in Germany responsible for Asia, the biggest region for the company.

Prior to re-joining Bentley this year, he was board member for strategy at Jaguar Land Rover for seven years.

Adrian, who is a father of two, studied Mechanical and Production Engineering and Fabrication and Welding at the University of Wolverhampton and he has a Postgraduate Diploma in Management from Henley Business School.

Adrian said: “I am humbled by the recognition afforded to me by University of Wolverhampton, and would like to thank them for their acknowledgment of my career to date.

“I still believe that I have much to learn and the best is yet to come.”

Honorary awards are presented by the University of Wolverhampton to people who have made a significant contribution to their field of expertise.

Walsall College opened its brand new engineering centre at the start of the new academic year. Now, parents and prospective students have a chance to see the state-of-the-art facilities for themselves at the College’s Open Day on Wednesday 10th October, between 4pm - 8pm.

 

Launched in conjunction with 2018’s ‘Year of the Engineer’, the Digital Engineering Skills Centre includes the latest equipment to meet the needs of the engineering and construction industries.

 

The centre, based at 21 Portland Street, will include robotic and design technologies, and is also home to advanced construction facilities, including those that assist with the planning, design, construction and maintenance of buildings.

 

Parents and students can come to the College’s Open Day to find out more about the courses held in this new centre, as well as its wider range of courses. Whether you’re a school leaver, an adult or someone aspiring to university, careers are available in everything from plumbing to hairdressing and law to childcare, with expert tutors on hand to plot your journey to employment.

 

The Open Day takes place at all the College’s campuses, including, Green Lane, Portland Street, Hawbush and Whitehall. Visitors can also tour the state-of-the-art facilities and find out why our students love studying here.

 

Jatinder Sharma OBE, Walsall College’s Principal and Chief Executive, said: “Walsall College continues to put our students on the right pathway for success through our exceptional facilities, outstanding vocational training, excellent work experience opportunities and curriculum developed in partnership with industry leaders, which ensures that students are work ready and graduate with the skills that employers want.

 

Engineering, manufacturing and technology offer real tangible long-term opportunities to people, especially in the West Midlands. Hundreds of apprenticeships and jobs are vacant in the sector and businesses continue to report skills gaps that are key barriers to efficient productivity.

 

Our new Digital Engineering Skills Centre will enable the expansion of the College’s provision of full-time, part-time and apprenticeships within engineering and construction to meet industry needs across the region.

 

He added: “The Open Day is an excellent opportunity to welcome members of the community to have a look around our state-of-the-art facilities and talk to our outstanding tutors about courses. All enquiries are welcome, from school leavers to people looking to change their career direction.”

 

There are a range of qualifications to suit every need, including full-time, part-time, professional, higher education and apprenticeships. Students can also now study for an Honours Degree level course in a range of subjects at a considerably lower cost than at university.

 

Courses are available in a variety of exciting areas, including, Care, Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, Business & Management, Engineering, Construction, Creative Arts, ICT & Science and Hair & Beauty. In addition, the college’s award-winning student services team will be available to offer impartial advice and guidance.

 

Children from St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School in Oldbury have been treated to a special performance to mark Roald Dahl Day on 13 September.

Roald Dahl day has been celebrated across Sandwell libraries with readings from his books, craft activities and special Roald Dahl inspired performances.

Councillor Simon Hackett, cabinet member for children's services visited Oldbury Library to see the staff perform a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory inspired play to children from St Francis Xavier. He said: "It's hard to think that some of these books, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, are more than 50 years old. The books are still inspiring to children and still manage to capture their imagination.

"Roald Dahl books are as popular as ever and it's great to mark Roald Dahl Day with these events."

Figures from 2017 show of the top ten books borrowed most often from Sandwell libraries of all genres, nine were Roald Dahl classics.

There has been glowing praise all round from families and friends of Stockland Green School, which celebrated its most successful open evening. Jack Dromey MP has led the plaudits by describing his visit to the academy as a “delight”, championing the “highly motivated, sparkling” students and “excellent teachers.”

More than 200 visitors attended the event, following Stockland Green’s best ever GCSE results this summer and its “Good” Ofsted rating earlier in the year. VIP Jack Dromey demonstrated his support for the school by attending the open evening where he met families, current and prospective students and staff.

The evening was a showcase of all Stockland Green has to offer. Visitors were able to tour the academy, which boasts state-of-the art facilities view demonstrations, listen to talks and meet with staff and students to discover more about school life.

Stockland Green, a founding school in the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP), is going from strength to strength. The popularity of the oversubscribed academy – which has a waiting list of 250 students - was reflected in the ‘standing room only’ for headteacher Marie George’s welcome speech.

Marie George told the prospective students: “Stockland Green is a small school and the atmosphere is very warm. Every child is cared for and well nurtured. I’m proud of Stockland Green and the journey we’ve been on. The parental questionnaire shows we do a great job and year 11 students have proved this with their GCSE results. We asked parents such questions as: ‘what is important to me? Is my child happy? Is my child safe? Is my child taught well? There was a high percentage of agreement to all these statements.”

Speaking at the close of the event, Mr Dromey said: “It was a truly fabulous evening at a fabulous school. What a delight to see highly-motivated, sparkling pupils and their proud parents with their excellent teachers. Thank you, Headteacher Marie George for your welcome and everything you do.”

 

He added: “Well done, Stockland Green. The community is proud of you - above all, your family!”

Marie George said: “It was an honour that Jack could join us on this memorable evening – to share in our success and to meet our learning community. We were so pleased by the number of families who came to see all that the school has to offer - feedback has been incredibly positive.

“This school is at the heart of our community. Our students are happy and cared for. They love learning and they achieve in a creative and inclusive family environment. Our staff are inspirational and being part of the ATLP has helped us to come so far.

“Our success, however, is not measured by our academic improvements, as encouraging as these are - it is determined by the number of smiling faces we see day in day out, and by the pride we all take in our school. This is reflected in the rising number of children who want to be a part of that and it’s our job to open those doors to the future.”

Richard Gill, CEO of the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP), said: “Stockland is a real success story shows what can be achieved. Thank you to Jack for the continued support you give the school. This year’s results are truly brilliant and behind the headlines are some amazing stories. The school is truly improving the life chances of so many within the community.”

Birmingham City University has launched a list of 175 inspirational Brummies as the institution enters a season of celebrations to mark 175 years since its foundation as the Birmingham Government School of Design in October 1843.

The 175 people on the list either hail from Birmingham or have made a major contribution to city life. Members of the public will be able to vote for their favourite Birmingham personalities from Wednesday 12 September, leading to the naming of the city’s top ten most inspiring individuals.

Names on the ‘Brummies who Inspire’ list include actress Dame Julie Walters, rock star Ozzy Osbourne, TV presenter Emma Willis, international cricketer Moeen Ali, activist Malala Yousafzai and Alfred Bird, the inventor of custard powder.

Professor Philip Plowden, Vice-Chancellor at Birmingham City University, said: “I am delighted that we are celebrating 175 years at the heart of Birmingham life. To mark this momentous occasion, we’re running a number of events and activities this autumn to celebrate the University’s history and the city around us.

“The list of 175 ‘Brummies who inspire’ recognises those individuals who have made a significant contribution to Birmingham, and put the city on the map across arts and entertainment, business, politics, sports, science, health and education.”

Birmingham City University’s roots date back to the foundation of Birmingham Government School of Design in 1843, the forerunner to the present day schools of Art and Visual Communication. In 1884 the School evolved into Birmingham College of Art, moving to a purpose-built Venetian Gothic building on Margaret Street designed by John Chamberlain. Today, Margaret Street still houses the University’s School of Art and is a Grade I Listed Building.

Key figures in the city and region will join an exclusive celebration event at the School of Art building on Wednesday 12 September to mark the official start of the BCU 175 celebrations.

The public’s favourite ‘Brummies who Inspire’ will be announced ahead of a celebratory concert at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on Thursday 15 November, spanning 175 years of musical history. Other names on the ‘Brummies who Inspire’ list include Cluedo inventor Anthony E. Pratt, singer-songwriter Laura Mvula and John Sumner, the founder of Typhoo Tea.