The Proving Factory® welcomes its engineering stars of tomorrow

Nine apprentices, who will start work at The Proving Factorys component manufacturing facility when it opens in 2015, have started on a three-year mechanical-manufacturing engineering course at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centres (AMRC) training centre in Rotherham.

These nine are part of the first cohort of 150 apprentices who have begun training at the AMRC‘s Training Centre, with the goal of producing prime engineering talent for the industry and the UK. 

The Proving Factorys new apprentices will take part in a three-year, high-value machining course, which will provide them with all the skills they need to support the set-up and production process at the component manufacturing facility on Tata Steels Brinsworth site. Following a years training at the AMRC, which includes modules specifically related to The Proving Factory, the apprentices will work closely with Tata Steel in the second year at Brinsworth, and by the third year will be working in the facility. They will also play an important part in supporting pre-production commissioning, ensuring the facility will be ready for full operation in September 2015.  

One of The Proving Factorys future apprentices, Jacob McNeill, said: “The training that we are receiving is excellent and the trainers are very friendly. I am really enjoying the projects, they are very interesting. The workshop and the facilities are really good. I feel that I made the right decision in taking up this apprenticeship, and am confident that the skills Im learning will stand me in good stead for supporting the exciting work of The Proving Factory.”

Skills and Enterprise Minister Matthew Hancock said: “These apprentices have been given a great opportunity to train in an outstanding facility. The AMRC Training Centre will give them the chance to learn the basics required to become a skilled engineer. Following their initial training, the apprentices will be able to continue their learning whilst working with Tata Steel before moving on to The Proving Factory in 2015. I would like to wish the apprentices luck as they take their first step into a new and exciting career.”

Richard Jones, Tata Steels Project Manager of The Proving Factory, said:  “The Proving Factory supports the automotive industry by bringing the latest low-carbon vehicle technologies to volume production, using state-of-the-art manufacturing and assembly processes. The key to our success will be training the talented young people needed to fill these highly-skilled manufacturing roles. We look forward to supporting our new recruits through their courses, and to welcoming them into The Proving Factory when we start volume production in 2015.” 

Source: The Proving Factory