A decade of impact achieved through people, knowledge and collaboration
‘The premier league of engineering apprentice training’, ‘enabling enhanced productivity in manufacturing’ and the apprenticeship scheme ‘being worth every penny’, is what employers and apprentices said about the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre as it celebrated more than a decade of delivering apprenticeships, impact and skills.
The AMRC Training Centre brought together apprentices and alumni, hard-working colleagues, key stakeholders and valued businesses to an event which highlighted the significant milestone.
To date, the AMRC Training Centre has recruited more than 2,200 apprentices, worked with 400 different businesses of all sizes and has an apprenticeship success rate 25 per cent above the national average – cementing the impact it is having on people of all ages; unlocking business potential and helping to close the country’s manufacturing skills gap.
The stellar line-up of guests heard firsthand about how the AMRC Training Centre is developing a highly skilled workforce for the advanced manufacturing sector while building strong industry partnerships.
Opening the event was Professor Geraint Jewell, vice-president and head of the Advanced Manufacturing Group at the AMRC. Speaking to invited guests, he said that the AMRC Training Centre has a big role to play in the regional and national skills landscape.
“What I believe makes the AMRC Training Centre so special is the integration they have with manufacturing innovation at AMRC and the engineering expertise and facilities at the University of Sheffield. The AMRC Training Centre is core to an environment which offers a perfect combination of manufacturing innovation, engineering science and skills.”
Leader of Sheffield City Council, Cllr Tom Hunt, said: “The work that takes place at the AMRC Training Centre changes lives.
“It is inspiring to hear how apprentices from the AMRC Training Centre have gone on to have success in the industry and have helped to increase productivity for their businesses.
“Every young person should believe that success can belong to them and that is why the AMRC Training Centre is so important. It provides people with new opportunities and it is no surprise that demand for apprenticeship places is so high. I look forward to working with partners to make sure that more young people can access the opportunities that come from the training centre.”
A panel of apprentice alumni provided insight into their experiences and achievements since beginning their learning journey at the AMRC Training Centre.
Andrei Popa, maintenance engineer at Finsbury Food Group said: “I believe the AMRC Training Centre apprenticeship scheme is worth every single penny. The journey I have been on as an apprentice has sparked my interest and encouraged me to give back more and I am supporting my company to bring about a mentoring programme to their business.”
Discussing what advice he would give to employers to encourage them to take on apprentices at their respective businesses, Will Keelan, research and development apprentice at Cobra Sport, said: “We are always told that manufacturing and steel is dead – but the one thing that can never be taken away is the skills. I believe that the heart of skills is apprenticeship schemes. We are young, we’re a blank canvas, we’re willing to learn and bring something new to the table.”
Speaking from an employer perspective, Darren Jones, head of UK learning and development manager for global engineering company AESSEAL, who also spoke at the event, said: “The AMRC Training Centre is the premier league of engineering apprentice training within the region. With a multitude of engineering pathways available to young people, it is currently our training provider of choice for engineering-related trades in South Yorkshire.”
Nikki Jones, director of the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre, described the celebration, held at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre’s flagship Factory 2050 facility, as ‘overwhelming, exciting and emotional’.
“The University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre has a fantastic team behind it; our hard-working staff, our dedicated apprentices and our valued employers – all of whom are remarkable individuals and it’s such an honour and a proud feeling to see firsthand the hundreds of lives which have been transformed,” added Nichola.
“The passion, enthusiasm, innovation and creativity that happens here, and is propelled into the South Yorkshire region and beyond, is nothing short of incredible.
“We understand the importance of being at the forefront of education and training for our sector and our region – and we will continue to work hard, delivering a curriculum that meets industry needs now and in the future.”
Nikki stressed that the AMRC Training Centre has an exciting future ahead and that its work is far from done, adding: “With the changes going on in the Government, as it progresses with a Growth and Skills Levy, I want to improve and increase our portfolio; I want to address the needs of industry and the skills gap that seems to be getting wider.
“Although apprenticeships are suitable for most in engineering, there’s still a whole range of people who need reskilling and I want to ensure that we are ready for that.
“I want to enable more people to come here and do apprenticeships and more employers to engage with us. Together we can ensure that our apprentices have fantastic opportunities so they can thrive in the region.”