Young Engineers Celebrate National Manufacturing Day in Cornwall

Cornwall College and Plymouth Engineering Skills Centre Highlight Future Talent

Local engineering students and apprentices were celebrated on National Manufacturing Day as Cornwall College and Plymouth Engineering Skills Centre (PESC) showcased emerging talent in the manufacturing and engineering sectors.

Spotlight on Cornwall College Group’s CMG Academy

Now in its third year, the Cornwall College Group’s collaboration with the Cornwall Manufacturers Group (CMG) has proved a success. The CMG Academy programme offers school-age students a head start in their careers while they are still completing their GCSEs. This unique opportunity allows young people to gain specialised skills in the manufacturing and engineering sectors early on.

Many students from the CMG Academy have gone on to enrol in full-time courses or apprenticeships at Cornwall College and PESC, solidifying their career paths.

Apprentices Share Their Experiences

Luke Blewett, a Level 3 Machinist Apprentice at the Camborne campus, reflected on his journey from the CMG Academy to his current role at Wes: “I completed the CMG Academy when I was at Redruth School, and it gave me such a great head start in my career. I’ve just started my apprenticeship with Wes and am really enjoying it already.”

Similarly, Joel Snowden, who is employed by ANH Welding Services, credited the CMG Academy for guiding him towards a successful career path: “I really enjoyed the CMG Academy during my time at Pool Academy. Cornwall College has always been supportive, showing me all the different options available. I feel like I’m on the right path to achieving my future goals.”

Lucie Avison, a Level 3 Metal Fabricator Apprentice employed by Fugro, shared her experience as a female in the industry: “Being a female in the industry is hard, but it makes you want to fight for it even more. The College helps you explore all sides of manufacturing and engineering, makes me realise there are plenty of options and it opens many doors for us in the future.”

Industry Connections and Real-World Experiences

To celebrate National Manufacturing Day, engineering students from the Camborne campus visited Spiral UK, a local manufacturing organisation. This visit provided them with real-world insights into architecture, engineering, and manufacturing, linking their studies to practical applications in the industry.

Meanwhile, Plymouth Engineering Skills Centre also showcased its commitment to nurturing engineering talent in the region. Kyan Cannicott, a Level 3 Engineering Technician Machinist apprentice at the Centre, expressed his enthusiasm for the programme: “My favourite thing about this course is that we get to use top-quality machines, milling and turning. In the future, the skills I’m learning here will allow me to achieve a higher level in engineering and allow me to become a successful machine setter, operator and programmer.”

A Bright Future for Manufacturing and Engineering

Curriculum Area Managers Neil Atkinson and Darren Reski from Cornwall College, and Andrew Phillips, Head of PESC, emphasised the importance of celebrating manufacturing and engineering to ensure local talent continues to thrive. By providing opportunities like the CMG Academy, they are helping to build a strong foundation for the next generation of engineers in Cornwall.

For more information about the programmes available, visit Cornwall College and Plymouth Engineering Skills Centre.