Construction of the new Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS) apprentice training facility is advancing rapidly with structural steelwork and the roof of the 3,800 square metre training workshops already up. The new building will be able to accommodate up to 350 apprentices, with industry-standard equipment covering a wide range of engineering and technology disciplines.
Steve Hall of the OAS project team said:
“We can really see the scale of the building taking shape now. This is going to be a flagship training facility for the hi-tech sector in this region – it’s exciting to imagine what it’s going to be like inside!”
The centre will be equipped with labs and workshops specifically designed for training in engineering disciplines including mechanical, electrical, robotics and PLCs, vacuum, cryogenics, fluids and control & instrumentation to name but a few. OAS is working with local businesses to ensure the new building’s capabilities meet their needs. Sixteen of the region’s top employers sent over 80 apprentices and HNC students to the existing temporary OAS centre, based at Culham Science Centre, in September 2018. The newly named training provider Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre (AMTC) will bring a wealth of experience and cutting edge technical knowhow to train OAS apprentices when the new building opens in September 2019.
Paul Rowlett, Managing Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre, said:
“Having an insight into tomorrow’s technology gives us the ability to create training programmes and apprenticeships to equip industry with a capable workforce. We are delighted to be working with UKAEA and STFC to deliver the Oxfordshire Advanced Skills training programme. There is a clear synergy and shared vision across our organisations.”
David Martin, UKAEA Chief Operating Officer and OAS Project Sponsor, said:
“We are really pleased that the Government have supported this initiative in developing a high quality, employer led training facility. In AMTC we are partnering with one of the UK’s most forward-thinking training organisations. They will give apprentices at OAS access to new technologies and ways of working, ready for the hi-tech industries of the future.”
Helen Johnson, Head of Apprenticeship & Graduate Schemes at STFC said:
“STFC already employs more than 80 apprentices across our laboratories and has a vibrant and growing apprenticeship programme, recruiting and training apprentices in engineering, project management, computing and ICT. They are an integral part of STFC’s skill base and this expansion of what OAS is able to offer engineering and technology apprentices is fantastic news for STFC and the many partner organisations we work with in the commercial and public sectors.”
Watch the OAS Training Facility take shape with the monthly timelapse videos https://www.oas.ukaea.uk/phase-2/
