We are very pleased to announce that Dudley Advance opened its doors to students and employers as planned on Monday 2nd November. At a cost of £9 million, Dudley Advance comprises 2,800m² of specialist teaching spaces and business support facilities spread over four floors. The Centre of Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Technology has been designed to bring education and manufacturing closer together to support students and business alike in ensuring the sector has the skills it needs to meet challenges of the future.

Dudley Advance is now open for business.

The Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Technology

January 2015Newsletter Issue 3

In this issue... Inside Dudley Advance

Young engineer celebrates WorldSkills UK gold medal

Apprentices welcome Ed Miliband to Dudley College

An invitation to Dudley Advance Employer Breakfast on Friday 30 January

“The partnership with engineering and manufacturing companies which the college has established to support the development of Dudley Advance, its new engineering training centre, demonstrates new ways of working which can provide training and employment for young people and the skilled workforce that profitable and successful employers require.”Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP, Leader of the Labour party

Inside Dudley Advance

Level 1

On Level 1 is the reception area and exhibition space that offers employers the opportunity to promote their products to our students and visitors. Our first exhibition piece is being provided by Eurocraft Enclosures.

Level 1 is also home to our impressive Production Centre offering training in traditional processes, with equipment such as lathes, milling machines and grinding machines for core engineering skills. In response to local employers need, Advance has invested substantially in a new CNC shop which can now offer training in the latest CNC technology.

In the Production Centre students’ progress from basic hand skills to the CNC Workshop, the college believes in giving students the basic engineering skills before progressing to CNC technology. The CNC Workshop houses 6 CNC machines:

+ 2 with built in tool measure and probing

with tool probing

systems, C axis with live tooling

station tool changer

operating systems, C axis plus live tooling.

Heidenhain control.

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Level 2

Level 2 is dedicated to Computer Aided Design and Manufacture. Rooms on this floor contain high end PC suites with touch screen technology CNC simulation. Training is provided in programming

all the software is linked to the CNC Workshop. The CAD facilities used to train students are 2D Autocad,

post processing to the CNC machines.

The Employer Innovation and Enterprise Zone, which is the business lounge and gateway to Dudley Advance for Engineering and Manufacturing companies, offers first-class customer service and access to workspace and facilities to support your business needs. Read more about this on page 7 of this newsletter.

Contained within the Innovation and Enterprise Zone is the Rapid Prototyping Lab giving students and employers access to a brand new laser

can now make use of the equipment either working on their own or with a supporting student. The partnership endeavours to give our students a real taste of how an engineering company would operate, whilst assisting employers with cost effective use of the latest equipment.

The Measurement Lab houses material testing equipment, Hounsfield tensile test machines and impact testers, plus the latest

technology. This room is used by students to enhance their course but can also be used as part of our offer to partner companies who may wish to gain access to this specialist equipment.

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The Electrical and Electronic suites offer multiple disciplines from Electrical / Electronic Engineering. These include:

and manufacture.

selection and use

Level 3

range of technical suites for teaching: Electrical / Electronic and Mechanical subjects.

The mechanical suites offer students flexible work environment using computer

moving on to practical work with actual components using the Mechatronic hydraulic and pneumatic training system.

The Electrical / Electronic suites use the latest electronic design and simulation software from Labcentre, the latest Mitsubishi PLC software

a realistic manufacturing production line that uses an actual Mitsubishi industrial robot.

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the opportunity to train in all disciplines of fluid power. Training equipment is available that simulates basic hydraulic and pneumatic circuit as well as electro-hydraulic and electro-pneumatic circuits plus the proportional control of hydraulic devices. A full PC simulation package has also been procured to enhance the teaching of pneumatic/hydraulic systems.

Level 4

A large collaborative area greets you at the entrance to Level 4, this flexible work space offers state of the art work stations for group working but can also be used to hold large group conference, presentations and exhibitions.

Level 4 also houses a Maintenance Lab which offers a full maintenance course with mechatronic equipment that allows students the experience of using and maintaining electro mechanical systems.

welding. This is complemented by a virtual welding system that allows students to practice and develop their welding skills before progressing to the welding booths.

Lab offers specialist teaching to support higher level programmes such as HNC/HND.

computer modelling to support the design, manufacture and construction processes.

Technology, Engineering and

collaboration between Advance Engineering and the ‘A’ Level Team providing the latest CAD and rapid prototyping facilities for ‘A’ Level product design.

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helen.boden@dudleycol.ac.uk or call Helen on 01384 363860

Dudley Advance would like to invite you to join us at our first Employer Breakfast.

You’ve read about the new Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Technology, so why not take the opportunity to have a tour around the new training facilities, Innovation & Enterprise Zone and Prototyping Lab?

Let us show you how working in partnership with Dudley Advance can support your business.

Venue: Dudley Advance, Priory Road, Dudley, DY1 4AD

Date: Friday 30th January 2015

Time: Drop in anytime between 8am – 10am

We hope you can join us.

Your invitation to visit Dudley Advance

Friday 30 January 2015See how we can support your business

Introducing the new Innovation and Enterprise Zone at Dudley Advance

testing lab housing a

of testing equipment

Aided Design

CNC programming and simulation

We are keen to offer these services to businesses who would like to work in partnership with Dudley Advance and play a part in the development of engineering skills and securing a better future for the industry.

In return, we want our students – your potential future employees – to gain real industry awareness as part of their training. You may be able to provide such things as apprenticeship opportunities, mentors, work experience, real world projects or even just the opportunity for us to bring students to visit your company.

Can you give our students an improved learning experience whilst benefiting from this ‘win-win’ collaboration?

Dudley Advance Team has recently strengthened employer liaison with the

co-ordinator. Helen has worked in the education sector supporting local businesses for over

experience of working

Helen will be available to support local engineering and manufacturing business to access the services and facilities Advance has to offer. If your business could benefit from a partnership with Advance, contact

boden@dudleycol.ac.uk

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The new Innovation and Enterprise Zone is proving that Dudley Advance is more than just a training facility.

from local employers, the new business lounge of Dudley Advance is focused on supporting engineering and manufacturing businesses in the area. The new facility provides this growing sector with a range of modern facilities, amenities and equipment to develop products and commercial ventures.

Available for your business use is:

room facilities

laser cutter

Dudley Advance Engineering Students Visit Caterpillar

The engineering HND group recently visited Caterpillar

of their Thermodynamics

in the provision and re-furbishment of Caterpillar excavation equipment, which includes the refurbishment and testing of the large straight six diesel engines.

The students toured the test facilities and used a range of diesel engines to identify turbocharging and emission control components. They also witnessed the testing of a 16 litre Life boat engine that

at peak output, enough

Could your company offer a tour to our students? If so contact Helen on 01384 363860 / 07469144159 or email helen.boden@dudleycol.ac.uk

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Young engineer celebrates WorldSkills UK gold medal

Bradley Norton’s engineering talents have been recognised at a national level after he won a gold medal in the WorldSkills UK engineering competition held at Birmingham’s NEC.

The 19-year-old Dudley College student, who is an apprentice at KUKA Systems UK in Halesowen, not only came out top in regional competitions but went on to beat his competitors in the advanced mechanical engineering CAD (Computer Aided Drawing) final at the NEC.

Bradley started studying engineering at Dudley College while he was still at school and is due to complete his HNC in engineering next summer. His employer is set to sponsor his plans to do a degree in mechanical engineering at Birmingham University.

Stephen Reed, engineering manager at KUKA Systems said: “We’re extremely proud of Bradley’s gold medal and pleased to employ a very talented young engineer. Since joining the company, Bradley has really impressed as he picks up things very quickly and continues to show us how capable he is. We couldn’t ask for a better apprentice.

“KUKA Systems is committed to investing in apprenticeships in order to develop the new talent that keeps the business at the forefront of innovation,” he added.

Bradley, from Coseley, West Midlands explained “I’ve never participated in a skills competition before but my CAD tutor at college encouraged me to enter and after making it through the regional heats I was more confident that I could compete in the national final. On the first day I completed all the tasks but the second day was harder so I wasn’t expecting to win.”

“Now I’ve got the competition bug I’d like to enter next year’s CAD WorldSkills UK competition and see if I can win at the next level. It’s great to get a gold medal as it shows everyone how good you are,” he said.

KUKA Systems UK employs five engineering and manufacturing apprentices and plans to take on a further three apprentices next summer. The company not only produces the Thompson range of rotary and linear friction welding machines, but also supplies a wide variety of associated automated production solutions.

WorldSkills UK inspires young people and adults to be ambitious in their pursuit of skills to the highest level. The National Competitions are designed to test competitors’ skills in a range of critical elements that demonstrate excellence in their chosen trade. The activity, designed by industry experts, enhances qualities valued by employers such as team work, time management and working to deadlines.

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Dudley College are an official sponsor of the Skills

Show, which takes place every November at the NEC.

This year 75,000 people visited the show to find out

about careers, obtain information about different

professions and to have-a-go at a massive range of

work-related experiences.

For the third year running the students and staff from

Dudley College were asked to promote Computer

Aided Design on stand, where visitors could have-a-go

at using CAD software and assemble and race a small

car made from 3D printed components.

Promoting CAD at the Skills Show

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Apprentices welcome Ed Miliband to Dudley College

“The partnership with engineering and manufacturing companies which the college has established to support the development of Dudley Advance, its new engineering training centre, demonstrates new ways of working which can provide training and employment for young people and the skilled workforce that profitable and successful employers require.”

Neil Thomas, Director of Dudley Advance said “We were very pleased to welcome Ed Miliband to the college as it gave us an opportunity to show how we are addressing skills development by developing new training facilities and working with employers on Apprenticeships.

During a recent visit to Dudley College, the Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP, Leader of the Labour party, met with apprentices and staff who explained how the college was addressing the skills needs of employers across the borough and further afield, through Apprenticeship training.

Whilst at the college, Ed Miliband was also shown Dudley Advance, which has been developed in partnership with local engineering employers to ensure the training and facilities it will offer meet local needs.

He said “Apprenticeships are essential to the development of our economy. Dudley College is an excellent example of innovative ways in which a large further education college is working with employers and stakeholders to address the skills gap.

“The training of young people and preparing them for work is our main focus, and during the visit there were lots of chances to explain how we are currently working with over 1,200 employers to train over

Present at the visit was a local employers and their apprentices who are currently undertaking engineering training with Dudley College. Andy Durham from Techniswage

of Apprenticeships and understands the benefits training brings to his engineering business.

“I’d been looking to train someone up to do my job in the future, and having seen how Apprenticeships work, at Dudley College has helped me with the succession planning for my company,” explained Andy, “Employers

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can’t be forced to take on

be educated to understand that Apprenticeships are the best way to update the skills in a business. An apprentice sees the real world of work and is trained by somebody who often has years of experience, and because the training takes place in the workplace, they can be moulded to fit your company.”

If you would like to find out more about our Engineering provision or get involved with Dudley Advance – please contact the team on:

Tel: 01384 363 409 Email: advance@dudleycol.ac.ukVisit: www.dudleycol.ac.uk

The Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Technology

TRAINING TO BOOST YOUR BUSINESSBOOST STAFF SKILLSSKILL UP HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO LEND A HELPING HAND TO BLACK COUNTRY BUSINESSES IN TRAINING THEIR STAFF AND GAINING REAL BOTTOM-LINE BENEFITS AS A RESULT.

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE?TO FIND OUT MORE SPEAK TO OUR EMPLOYER SERVICES TEAM ON 01384 363 808 OR EMPLOYERSERVICES@DUDLEYCOL.AC.UK

Skill UP has been designed to lend a helping hand to Black Country businesses in training their staff and gaining real bottom-line benefits as a result. Over the next two years, £5million worth of FREE training is available to employers like you to support skills development to suit your business needs. This may range from basic literacy and numeracy skills through industry-specific courses to HND-level qualifications.

The six leading Black Country Colleges have come together to pool their extensive vocational knowledge and secure funding from the European Social Fund and Local Response Fund to help make this possible. By working collectively, we want to ensure that we can offer you the widest possible range and choice of training – helping to make a real difference to businesses like yours in the Black Country.

Short (10-15 weeks) Skill UP courses designed for Engineering and Manufacturing Employers include:

are available (delivered in the workplace)

More generic business courses are also available, including