The industry leading Manufacturing Technology Centre is to launch the first apprenticeships in the UK dedicated to providing the skills needed for additive manufacturing (3D printing).
The MTC's additive manufacturing apprenticeship programmes will provide a pipeline of technicians fully skilled in one of the fastest growing advanced manufacturing technologies in industry.
Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is now employed across multiple manufacturing sectors in a variety of materials, producing everything from simple tools to major parts for aero engines. The MTC houses the National Centre for Additive Manufacturing (NCAM) bringing together the most comprehensive combination of equipment and capability in the UK.
The MTC's learning design manager Martin Dury said the new apprenticeship programmes are to be launched in September this year and will address the current shortage of skills in this vital area of advanced manufacturing.
"While there are a number of additive training courses currently available in the UK, these tend to be focused on equipment use. The MTC is aiming to provide additive manufacturing apprenticeships that will cover the whole range of competences necessary for specific occupations. They will also offer accredited curricula of short courses to enable the up-skilling of existing staff,” said Dury.
"We are currently writing competency frameworks that will define the knowledge, skills and behaviour required to operate in the various job roles in an end-to-end additive manufacturing production environment. These frameworks will then form the foundation for the apprenticeship programmes and short course curricula. We have spent the last three months consulting with industry, manufacturers, OEMs and academia to ensure the frameworks exactly match the needs of industry,” he added.
Dury continued, "The Manufacturing Technology Centre is an acknowledged world leader in additive technology and the home of the National Centre for Additive Manufacturing. We have all the equipment and capabilities to deliver first class, sector-wide and technology agnostic programmes for apprentices or existing employees. The manufacturing industry is crying out for this and we will be able to make it available in a format which allows people to learn while earning, funded by the apprenticeship levy."
Anyone with additive manufacturing expertise who would like to contribute to the design of these competency frameworks is invited to contact the MTC at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
.
The MTC aims to provide a competitive environment to bridge the gap between university-based research and the development of innovative manufacturing solutions, in line with the Government’s manufacturing strategy. The MTC is part the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, supported by Innovate UK.
We use cookies to help provide you with the best possible online experience.
By using this site, you agree that we may store and access cookies on your device.
You can find out more and set your own preferences here.
