Equipment donation for local college helps prepare students for industry
Pictured left to right at the official hand-over of the equipment: Principal & Chief Executive Karen Dobson, Group Head of Employer Engagement & Training Jane Tunnicliff and Curriculum Leader for Higher Education in Engineering, David Halliwell all at Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group, pictured with Steve Tellwright, HR Director and Mark Slater, Resource Manager at Capula and Dave Williams Channel Development Manager at Rockwell Automation.
A Capula initiative has facilitated the supply of engineering training equipment from industry partners, Rockwell Automation to enable local college, Newcastle under Lyme College (NULC), to train the next generation of engineers on the latest industry technologies.
NULC is based in Staffordshire, near to Capula’s Head Office, and provides courses that teach engineering and control system skills to students aged 16 to 19. Capula, an Imtech company, secured the donation of a ControlLogix PLC (programmable logic controller) system and HMI (human machine interface) from Rockwell Automation and has provided complementary technical support and training for the college lecturers.
The equipment has been used to create a conveyor simulation system that provides a platform for students to learn how to configure PLC equipment and refine their coding skills. From left to right: Capula trainees Macauley Thompson and Daniel Wilcox with Curriculum Leader for Higher Education in Engineering, David Halliwell.
“We are delighted that Capula spearheaded this initiative and procured this donation on our behalf,” commented Karen Dobson, Principal and Chief Executive of Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group. “The donation allows us to provide detailed, real life hands-on training to future engineers, using modern high-end technologies that support a wide range of engineering applications commonly found in industry. This will help our students to transition smoothly from college into the working environment.”
“We understand how important it is for students to learn and develop engineering skills on the latest equipment and technologies”, commented Steve Tellwright, HR Director at Capula. “This initiative will benefit not only our own Junior Engineers enrolled on courses at the college but other students in the wider community for years to come.”
“Rockwell Automation is very pleased to have contributed this equipment. We recognise the importance of working closely with local schools and colleges to help young people develop into the next generation of engineers,” commented David Williams, Channel Development Manager at Rockwell Automation.