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Training and Development 26

SMART MANUFACTURING ALLIANCE

sma-uk.co.uk/acmi-4-0 Tat-Hean Gan, TWI’s Director of Research and Innovation, explained: “Some of the most pertinent subjects for manufacturers to address now, and in the coming years, are the drive towards net zero operations, adapting to industry 4.0 developments, and the transition to smart factories and automation.

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“Therefore, TWI’s Innovation Centres for, respectively, Joining 4.0, Circular Economy and Recycling, Industrial Decarbonisation and Hydrogen, Industrial Net Zero, Renewable Energy, and Artificial Intelligence, together with TWI’s technical sections, TIM team and extensive networks, are ideally placed to support the Smart Manufacturing Alliance, with its aims for the regions manufacturing supply chain members.” Bob Hart, SMA Programme Director, added: “One of our top priorities is to encourage higher levels of innovation among Cambridgeshire and Peterborough manufacturers. With such a heavy concentration of manufacturers and broad range of specialisms across the region, it’s imperative that we bolster their R&D and new product development to ensure our manufacturing sector can compete at a global level. “TWI’s Innovation Centres, TIM team, and technical sections are a huge asset to our region and we’re very excited about the potential our new partnership is creating for our members.”

What types of innovation does the partnership support?

The PCML Group has sites in March, Peterborough, Cambridge, and Sandy, and specialises in the precision engineering and manufacture of custombuilt parts and components for use in medical, biotech, scientific and industrial technologies.

PCML recently partnered with a UK 3D Mobile Mapping Company to manufacture and build the precision parts and bespoke components for one of their 3D imaging cameras, used to map changes within difficult to reach places, such as mines and caves. PCML Group manage the complete design for manufacture, production, and assembly for all the required parts and looms –with full control of the BOM, manufacturing process and supply chain

Partnering with clients at the early design stages and working in collaboration with specialist design consultants ensure the smooth delivery of products through the entire manufacturing, quality, test, and assembly process.

Digitisation funding

Local SME manufacturers can get 12 hours’ free consultancy and capital grant funding through Advanced Capacities for Manufacturing – Industry 4.0 (ACMI4.0.

The £1.2 million European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) project helps SMEs to adopt and integrate Industry 4.0 technologies and design principles more effectively.

It’s being delivered by the SMA in partnership with Opportunity Peterborough.

One of our top priorities is to encourage higher levels of innovation among Cambridgeshire and Peterborough manufacturers.

3D Imaging Camera

WORKING WITH EMPLOYERS TO DELIVER APPRENTICESHIPS

We offer two HNC Level 4 apprenticeships!

HNC ENGINEERING (LEVEL 4) (pathways of Electrical/Electronic & Mechanical)

HNC CONSTRUCTION (LEVEL 4)

• Small group sizes • Work based assessments • Flexible delivery • Taught by industry experts • 30+ years experience of offering HNCs • High levels of tutor contact, professional guidance and individual support

KELVIN BRADY

HNC Engineering Level 4 “For anyone thinking of doing an HNC course, I’d say, “just do it”! I would never have accomplished some of the work I’ve achieved without the help of this course and the tutors. “

ANTHONY RICHARDSON

HNC Construction Level 4

“I did not find returning to learning difficult, but whenever I have had any questions, I have found the lecturers are always very helpful if I have any concerns. The facilities are very good, in particular the purpose-built University Centre for higher education courses. The tutors are excellent and the online resources available through the CWA LEARN platform are also very good for distance learning”

01553 815 600 employers@cwa.ac.uk

cwa.ac.uk/employers

RENEWED BACKING FOR WATER SENSITIVE FARMING

East Anglia is home to one of the UK’s most water-stressed areas. A major regional initiative which aims to reverse that decline has started its fourth phase of works.

The Water Sensitive Farming (WSF) initiative aims to reverse the decline of freshwater environments in Norfolk, and parts of Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. It focuses on improving soil health and water quality and quantity, and help boost flood risk management, carbon storage, groundwater protection and biodiversity habitat.

Organised by The Norfolk Rivers Trust (NRT) and The Coca-Cola Foundation, the initiative has replenished 2.75 billion litres of water – or around 917 Olympic-sized swimming pools – provided over 300 farmers with one-to-one advice and support, and improved approximately 3,100ha of agricultural land (including cover crops, buffer strips, reduced cultivations and riparian management). It has crucially improved the health of Britain’s largest protected wetland, the Broads National Park while globally, it has protected rare chalk streams, including the river Wensum Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The fourth phase, which has been identified as one of the four key UK projects to deliver the Courtauld 2030 Water ambition, will:

Replenish 500 million litres of water.

Work with farmers to create a minimum of 20 on-farm wetlands, ponds and silt traps.

Restore stretches of degraded chalk stream.

Implement land management changes including agroforestry and the creation of floodplains and meadows.

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