New training academy revs up interest in engineering

Leicester-based engineering plastic solutions company, Nylacast, has recently opened an on-site Engineering Training Academy, which it hopes will help combat the UK skills shortage and create a resource pool of skilled engineers. 

The company says opening a training academy was “the next progressive step” in plugging the engineering skills gap, however, it stressed the new facility will not only be utilised by students, but also to upscale the skills and knowledge of the current workforce as well as rewarding the loyalty of long-serving employees with structured training programs and opportunities to further their knowledge and gain qualifications.

"All of us at Nylacast are very excited and enthusiastic about the investment we have put into the Academy; there is a known skills shortage within Engineering which needs to be addressed,” said Mussa Mahomed, Group CEO. “Not only does the Academy provide us with a competitive edge in industry but also allows us to focus our continuous investment in our most valued assets, our people and their dedication."

The Engineering Training Academy features a number of dedicated teaching rooms for various training topics and methods, including a state-of-the-art engineering simulator room, as well as a number of scaled down manual machines, which Nylacast says will provide the students with vital skills and experience on core engineering aspects.

With a dedicated facility now in place, Nylacast says it is looking forward to increasing the awareness of engineering within schools, colleges and communities. Ian Mallabone, Group HR & Training Manager said: "These are exciting times at Nylacast, not only will the Academy be used to house our current training and apprenticeship schemes, but importantly will allow us to expand on our learning and development as a company, both internally and externally, to help bridge the engineering skills gap and help build the engineers of tomorrow.”

In addition, the company also revealed it has renewed its sponsorship of DeMontfort University (DMU) Racing Team for a student motorsport competition in order to further increase awareness and interest in engineering.

“The sponsorship works as a great platform to engage with the engineers of tomorrow and be able to offer some of Nylacast’s industry experience to a group of young, dedicated and enthusiastic students who spend many hours between their studies on this project,” commented Nylacast’s Marketing Manager, Junaid Makda.

As a manufacturer of engineering polymers, Nylacast provides its unique materials to the team, which are designed to help to increase performance, reliability and efficiency of many parts traditionally made from metals.