Siemens and the University of Manchester have partnered to launch a technology partnership, designed to help students learn about advanced technologies in the chemical industries sector.
Siemens has supplied the University with cutting edge industrial technologies which students and local affiliated apprentices will be able to use for their studies. The University has opened a new control room which has been installed with Siemens ‘distributed control system’ which is designed to help students learn about advanced process automation.
The launch took place as part of the UK’s only dedicated academically focused Chemical Engineers Day held at Manchester University. The new suite was opened by Steve Leech, Product Manager Process Automation, alongside Professor Mike Sutcliffe, Head of School of Chemical Engineering.
The suite will dramatically enhance the practical skills required to get a head start in British manufacturing and will form a central part of the chemical engineering courses available at the University. It will also enhance regional R&D capacity, further strengthening the existing partnership between the University of Manchester and Siemens.
The technology suite will be located at the newly opened James Chadwick Building at the centre of University campus.
Steve Leech, Product Manager Process Automation said: “We are very proud to playing such a leading role in boosting the skills of engineering apprentices at the University of Manchester – world leader in its field. By getting directly involved in the education of future engineers we are able to develop the skills industry needs to stay ahead of international competition. So we hope this tailored automation suite will play a role in enhancing the talent we need”
In March a similar automation suite was opened at Trafford College, as part of Siemens drive to develop the skills of young people across the UK and the North West. Manchester University recently became one of Siemens global partner Universities – the two organisations are continuing their drive to enhance the talent and research available to manufacturers, large and small.
Professor Mike Sutcliffe, Head of School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, The University of Manchester commented “For the University of Manchester this is about dramatically enhancing the skills of our students through practical learning opportunities. This technology will help graduates hit the ground running when they join our world beating chemical industries sector. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Siemens to develop the skills and expertise needed to grow our R&D which is essential we are to develop regional and national economy”
Siemens has already invested in the up-skilling of young people interested in engineering and manufacturing through the sponsorship of a number of University Technical Colleges across the UK. The business has over 300 apprentices and recently the number of apprenticeships exceeded the graduate intake. Siemens recently launched its own Junior Factory, a production line run entirely by an apprenticeship management team in the world leading Congleton facility which makes drives and invertors.
Siemens is now actively recruiting its next intake of apprentices, and the application window is now open. For more information please follow the web link: www.apprenticeships.org.uk
