Training centre to address engineering skills shortage 13 November 2013

Former cabinet minister Michael Portillo officially opened the £650,000 Endress and Hauser Application, Training and Engineering Centre last Friday (Friday 8 November 2013), in Manchester.

The measurement engineering specialist's new training centre now offers bespoke courses for customers and staff, covering instrumentation, field communications and process control.

The facilities include a 12-seater classroom fitted with audio visual equipment and interactive systems as well as four process rigs, a purpose-built workshop and control room.

"We take our responsibility to train the engineers of the future seriously," comments Endress and Hauser managing director David Newell.

"In reality, we have no choice but to offer our own training programmes, due to the alarming shortage of engineering skills in the UK, made worse by the fact that universities are producing only 50,000 engineering graduates per year – when the real requirement is closer to 100,000," he adds.

Newell explains that Endress and Hauser is also forming partnerships with educational establishments, including schools, technical colleges, universities and apprentice training facilities.

Currently, the company is working with the new University Technical College Wigan, and is supporting the Eden Food Technology and Engineering project, managed by Reaseheath College in conjunction with Arla Foods.

"We need to address the problem of not enough young people being inspired to follow technical subjects," commented Portillo. "This training centre will not only benefit the young people themselves but our country as a whole by driving up the skills base of our society and encouraging economic recovery."

Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Endress + Hauser Ireland Ltd

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