£ 200,000 automation cell unveiled by In-Comm Training to boost advanced skills in the Marches
CONTROL & AUTOMATION ADVANCED ENGINEERING BOOST
IN-COMM TRAINING
£ 200,000 automation cell unveiled by In-Comm Training to boost advanced skills in the Marches
A £ 200,000 state-of-the-art automation cell was unveiled at In- Comm Training ’ s Telford Technical Academy last week in a major boost to the Marches ’ advanced engineering capability .
The independent training provider has extended its commitment to employer-led provision by developing a 6-axis ABB industrial robot and bespoke conveyor system , recreating a real-world manufacturing line that gives learners access to component nesting and sensing , robotic operation , PLC programming and interfacing systems .
Funded through the Local Skills Improvement Framework and the Marches Education Partnership , the new facility was demonstrated for the first time in front of more than 45 industry leaders from Collins Aerospace , HS Marston , Magna Cosma Casting , Autoneum , CEL Sheet Metal and VA Technology .
It is anticipated that hundreds of learners will be trained on it every year in four courses ranging from oneday Level 3 Cell Operator and 4-day Level 3 Robotic Programming , to an extensive EAL-accredited Industrial Robotic Technology qualification and a BTEC Level 4 in Automation , Robotics and Programmable Logic Controllers .
Paul Hodgetts , Business Development Manager at In-Comm Training , commented : “ Our approach has always been to listen to what companies want and we ’ ve been hearing for a long time that they need flexible and modular courses that can
From left ; Paul Aston , Jane Pottinger ( both In-Comm Training ), Steffan Willetts and John D ’ Angelillo ( both Bauromat ) and Paul Hodgetts ( In- Comm Training )
deliver automation skills that have a real impact on the shopfloor .
“ We held an industry meeting earlier this year and , due to further feedback we received , we tailored the cell and its operations even more . With the help of the Marches Education Partnership , we now have an unrivalled six-axis robotic automation line that you would only normally find in industry-leading businesses .”
He continued : “ Located at our Telford Technical Academy , this will be available to SMEs , large business and OEMs in the Marches and West Midlands Combined Authority area , who need support in upskilling or training new staff in some of the latest robotic and automation skills . There was so much interest , we actually took several bookings for the courses on the day .”
Installation of the robotic and automation cell has been completed by Telford-based Bauromat , who has worked with In-Comm Training to ensure the line represents what learners will be working on now and in the future .
The latest addition to the T54 facility will help existing engineers upskill or reskill in a new engineering discipline , providing companies with a more agile workforce and one that is prepared for the move to more automation and digital transformation .
Training will be focused on delivering Level 3 and Level 4 courses , with engineers learning how to interact with PLCs , perform essential maintenance and automate production lines .
Paul went on to add : “ Thanks to existing partnerships with WMCA and Telford Council , we can offer funding for some of the courses but for a limited time only – the message is to act fast .
“ Last week ’ s launch event highlighted the end of Phase 1 with the automation cell now ready and operational for learning . It will soon be followed by a further £ 75,000 private investment from In-Comm Training that will create a dedicated fluid power training suite , which will strengthen our ability to deliver advanced competences around fluid power , hydraulics and pneumatics .
He concluded : “ The Marches has some world class companies and some fantastic industry disruptors , but these wonderful manufacturers need access to advanced automation , robotic and hydraulic skills required to release their full potential . We ’ ve giving them access to these competences right on their doorstep .”
For further information , please visit www . in-comm . co . uk
34 PECM Issue 71