North East manufacturer, BEL Engineering, has announced a collaboration worth £300k with DMG Mori. The aim of this partnership is to establish an apprentice training school at BEL Engineering’s site in Newcastle upon Tyne. This initiative is in response to the growing demand for skilled professionals in the manufacturing industry.
At the training school, first year apprentices will undertake a comprehensive 36-week program that combines classroom instruction with hands-on learning. This approach is designed to equip apprentices with the practical skills and in-depth knowledge necessary for success in their careers.
The training center will offer an enriched learning environment that goes beyond traditional classroom settings. Apprentices will have the opportunity to work on live customer designs using excess materials, which will enable them to gain a deeper understanding of customer specifications.
The curriculum for apprentices includes 20 modules, which will be covered through rigorous training over the course of the year. Apprentices will also spend half of their day learning to machine conforming products in accordance with customer tolerances, while the remaining half will be dedicated to classroom-based learning covering topics such as health and safety, cutting tools, and geometric tolerancing.
This enhanced program will be delivered in partnership with the British Engines Group four-year Apprenticeship+ program. During the first 20 weeks, apprentices will attend TDR Training in Benton, Newcastle upon Tyne. After this initial period, apprentices will join one of eight businesses within the British Engines Group, while still studying one day a week at TDR Training. In years three and four of their apprenticeship, apprentices will have the opportunity to pursue a HNC in Mechanical Engineering and a HND in General Engineering.
As part of this unique apprentice training program, apprentices will have the opportunity to visit BEL Engineering’s main customers, and vice versa. This hands-on experience will allow apprentices to witness firsthand how customers operate and gain a deeper understanding of the critical role of precision engineering.
Jonathan Lamb, chairman at BEL Engineering, expressed his confidence in the collaboration between DMG Mori and BEL Engineering to bridge the skills gap in the manufacturing sector. He believes that this partnership will produce highly skilled apprentices who will make valuable contributions to the industry.
