HRH Opens Training Centre Sponsored By VISI And EDGECAM

Vero Software have provided 20 seats of each of their leading VISI and EDGECAM brands, to the AMRC Training Centre, which has been officially opened by HRH The Duke of York, KG.

The facility is part of the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing, and was set up with European funding to provide training for manufacturing-focused apprentices in machining, software, maintenance, welding, business administration and robotics.

Youngsters accepted for apprenticeships by the centre are then invited to job interviews with registered employers. Engineering trainer Mick Fairman says: “They all have jobs when they start their courses with us. We currently have around 100 apprentices at the centre full-time working towards NVQ Level 2 and BTEC Level 3.”

Opening the centre, Prince Andrew spoke passionately about how important apprentices are to the future of the UK’s manufacturing industry...a point echoed by Mick Fairman: “We tailor our courses to ensure the apprentices are able to make a worthwhile and lifelong contribution to industry.”

VISI and EDGECAM are used to drive the centre’s 16 Haas mills and lathes, and three Mori Seiki 5-axis machining centres. Mick Fairman says many apprentices return to the centre for upskilling on 5-axis work, after finishing their original courses. “Being able to use software like VISI and EDGECAM means they’ll be able to produce even the most complex 5-axis components.”

VISI Northern Sales Manager Ian Llewellyn, who attended the opening ceremony, also agrees with The Duke Of York’s comments. “The AMRC Training Centre teaches apprentices everything about the role employers are looking for them to fill. Nowadays that includes advanced 5-axis technology to produce highly complex components. Companies embracing this technology are the ones that will move forward and be profitable, and it’s essential apprentices learn about it.”

The Duke of York met a number of apprentices in the centre’s workshop, who were learning aspects of manual machining, and who will go on to learn CNC machining with VISI and EDGECAM. He was also introduced to apprentices on welding and robotics courses.