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New Centre To Help Bridge UK's Technology Skills Gap

April 18, 2000

A state-of-the-art learning centre intended to provide a national model to help the UK fill its skills shortage in technology-related sectors has been launched by Staffordshire University and engineering giants JCB.

The Staffordshire University and JCB Schools Design and Technology Centre is a special collaboration between higher education, industry and schools.

Aimed at 11- to 18-year-olds, the centre features 13 high-spec PCs to operate sophisticated computer- aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software. The facility also has a small computer controlled milling machine for precise machining of components and effectively provides the 'design and technology classroom of the 21st Century'.

The groundbreaking project has already won praise. Malcolm Harbour, MEP for the West Midlands, who attended the official opening of the centre, was delighted with what he saw.

Mr Harbour, who began his career in the engineering industry, said: "This is a fantastic scheme and from my own experience I would say there is nothing quite like this anywhere else. What I really like about this centre is that it gives young people the tools to experience creative design, which I believe is the most exciting part of business."

Professor Bob Pendlebury, Director of Engineering and Research at JCB, said: "This centre is a reality not a virtual reality, offering hands-on experience of CAD-CAM design and robotics for young people which will inspire them. It will also help teachers to understand what it is like to be an engineer."

Steve Mason, Manager of the Staffordshire University and JCB Schools Design and Technology Centre, added: "The computer literacy of modern youngsters is now so sophisticated we are having to radically develop their learning experience.

"We believe by bringing teachers and their students to a classroom based within a university the right level of support can be given. A centre like this can provide a seamless stream of education with youngsters being exposed to learning that has relevance to all stages of their educational career, including GCSE, A-levels and degree level study."

The Staffordshire University and JCB Schools Design and Technology Centre is the latest design and technology facility in Staffordshire to be specifically aimed at supporting GCSE and A-level pupils in the subject.

JCB, with other local companies, is at the centre of a co-ordinated strategy involving Staffordshire University; the Staffordshire Science and Technology Regional Organisation (SATRO); plus Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Education Authorities.

The aim of this successful partnership is to show that design and technology can provide routes to exciting, challenging and rewarding future careers - and the strategy is working.

"This carefully co-ordinated, multi-agency approach has resulted in a significant increase in the numbers of talented young students applying to JCB for both employment or degree sponsorship," said a JCB spokesman.





Staffordshire University