Academy for future engineers (From Evesham Journal)

Academy for future engineers

5:00pm Thursday 7th February 2013 in News By Sarah Taylor

A STATE-of-the-art engineering academy will be built in Evesham and provide up to 80 apprenticeships in its first four years.

The academy, which will be run by Rotec Engineering, will take on young people and give them training on the job. It is expected that one full-time and two part time jobs will be filled by the students every year.

Plans for the academy were unanimously approved by Wychavon District Council planning committee.

Councillor Bob Banks said: “The future of manufacturing in the UK lies in the hands of young people and giving them the opportunity to flourish. The Rotec academy does this.”

The new centre will be built alongside Rotec’s base on the Vale Park Industrial Estate and will incorporate a new workshop enabling the company to expand over two to three years.

The academy hopes to work in partnership with South Worcestershire College and also plans to provide courses such as health and safety for local businesses.

The plans coincide with a new campaign by Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff to inspire people to take up careers in engineering, science and technology.

Mr Luff said: “It is unqualified good news for the Vale of Evesham. We are desperately short of engineers at apprentice and graduate level “ If the right route is taken engineers can be making money and doing something important with a long-term career.

“We do still make stuff in this country and in the Vale and we need more apprentices.

This is just what we need.”

On Wednesday, Mr Luff will introduce a Bill aimed at ensuring there are enough resources for pupils to develop an interest in the subject from a younger age.