Regional Resource Centre update for 2009
2009….its a new year and the Marine Regional Resource Centre (RRC) at Southampton’s City College goes from strength to strength. The RRC specialises in providing courses to fill skills gaps for individuals or company’s alike. Courses range from Composites lay-up and repair to Computer Aided Design (CAD), Project Management (PRINCE II), BIT/LEAN Manufacturing and in conjunction with Marine Southeast’s CAD Training Pool initiative, expert tuition in the latest CATIA techniques.
In conjunction with Marine South East and the Marine RRC, City College is currently establishing a school of excellence for aluminium welding. The school will not only offer apprenticeships but also many short and intermediate courses for re-training, cross-training and up-skilling of the current work force that will ensure their personal development and also that of their companies.
City College is working in close conjunction with employers to ensure that courses are tailored for the individual employers needs. Many of the courses are funded or partly funded, thus the training of your staff is provided for minimal or no outlay. (Many courses are in fact at no cost to employers, subject to minimal criteria.)
Employers committing to the RRC (it costs nothing to join) will provide progression options for their workforce that may have not been previously available to them prior to the advent of the Marine RRC. Higher levels of provision are also available with pathways of sustained continuity and coherence. This in turn will also provide an incentive to both employer and employee to achieve higher levels of expertise. This could be in further or higher education for marine composite engineering, manufacturing processes and techniques or in management courses and innovative training to assist with the progression of both staff and companies alike.
A new addition to the capability of the Marine RRC is an autoclave for curing composites and pre-impregnated materials and it carries a full vacuum system. This is a 1.5m³ oven with fully computerised control allowing complex curing programmes to be used. This equipment will not only be used for teaching but is also available for use by industry at a nominal charge. (Use of this facility can be arranged for evenings and weekends if required.)
Contact the Marine RRC via their website at http://www.marinerrc.co.uk or call us on 02380-724-722.
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