Serving the Teesside Business Community | 61
IN CONTROL
S
cores of testing industry experts
descended on Middlesbrough
College’s STEM Centre recently as
part of a major event.
The Science, Technology, Engineering
and Maths centre pl ayed host to the 30th
annual Control and Electrical Exhibition
by the Teesside Section of the Institute
of Measurement and Control, a meeting
of businesses that supply testing and
measurement equipment - and knowledge -
to a range of sectors.
Delegates from across the region
and beyond exhibited technologies and
networked throughout the day.
Attendees were also treated to a
look around the STEM Centre’s replica
manufacturing, process industry and logistics
environments, which help to prepare trainees
and students for working life.
Andy Buckworth, director of STEM at
Middlesbrough College, said: “Hosting the
Institute of Measurement and Control’s
exhibition was just another example of
Middlesbrough College and Northern Skills
Group’s leading role in the regional business
community.
“Our expert team works closely with
businesses across different sectors to make
sure they have the skills to grow.
“We are constantly listening to the
challenges and needs of businesses, and
events like this help us support our partners
while learning more about how we can
support them.”
The event was administered by the
Institute of Measurement and Control, a
national trade body that represents engineers
and technologists across the automation,
instrumentation, control and related
industries.
Seminars led by suppliers and
manufacturers of testing equipment
showcased the latest methods and
technologies to attendees.
The institute delivers highly specialised
Test industry specialists get the
measure of STEM Centre
training to its members, produces
publications on measurement and control
theory, and offers resources to help
practitioners.
Andy added: “Test and measurement
is a vital part of the engineering,
manufacturing and process industries
to which Middlesbrough College, and
its apprenticeship training arm Northern
Skills Group, provide knowledge, skills and
competencies.
“Our students and trainees learn about the
important use of these technologies in the
workplace and therefore bringing employers
into our environment is an important part of
the knowledge transfer process.
“The STEM Centre will continue to host
events like this as a focal point of industry.”
Within the STEM Centre there are three
sections of industrial facilities:
> Process operations and maintenance
> An advanced manufacturing centre
> Logistics and warehousing
The centre also houses a DCS control
room which monitors and operates all the
processes, including a fully functional control
system overlooking the process hall with
operator workstations.