VISION STATEMENT
The ÂŁ11 million Harlow Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Centre (HAMEC) is a major investment for Harlow and will inspire and train the next generation of engineers. HAMEC focuses on key engineering areas including Advanced Manufacturing, Operational Maintenance, Aerospace and Civil Engineering. Equipped with state-of-the-art industrial equipment, the Centre will provide technical, professional and Apprenticeship training, as well as industry updating.
KAREN SPENCER
Principal & Chief Executive of Harlow College Harlow College is committed to providing the highest quality technical education, providing skilled workers for industry and driving growth in the local economy. We couldn’t have established HAMEC without the support of Essex County Council and the South East Local Enterprise Partnership - their backing has enabled a true college/business partnership. The students, staff and governors of Harlow College are grateful for their support.
Rt Hon ROBERT HALFON MP Minister of State for Apprenticeships and Skills
Advances in manufacturing mean that there is a growing demand for people highly skilled in production processes. For young people, particularly apprentices, the ability to translate digital design into real products is a sought after attribute that will develop them into world-class engineers. Harlow Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Centre, with its state-ofthe-art equipment, will be the catalyst for economic growth while showing the benefits of Apprenticeships. As the Industrial Strategy identified, Apprenticeships are pivotal to building the jobs and prosperity our nation needs to compete globally.
CHRISTIAN BRODIE South East LEP Chair
We are very pleased to see this excellent flagship Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Centre open in Harlow. Through these wonderful modern facilities the Centre is directly supporting training for young people and those already in employment to develop skills in a sector that has been identified as crucial for our area, and has high potential to contribute to future growth for the Essex economy. The South East LEP is pleased to have been able to support this facility through skills capital funding and welcome the opportunities this provides in inspiring young people to take up a career in this field which offers many opportunities and offers employment locally.
Cllr KEVIN BENTLEY
Essex County Council - Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Partnerships The Harlow Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Centre will bring great opportunities for young people to have a long and rewarding career in engineering, while also providing engineering businesses with a workforce fit for the future, bringing growth to Essex and the rest of the country. The M11 corridor is continuously developing as a nucleus for innovation, with the arrival of Public Health England and new firms moving into the Enterprise Zone in Harlow, this is another great example of this County’s ambition for our growing economy.
ENVIRONMENT
With the support of leading local engineering employers, HAMEC has been designed to provide not only teaching and workshop space, but access to rapid prototyping, CAD/CAM, R&D, conferencing facilities and high specification equipment to facilitate bespoke training.
HAMEC specifically provides: • New manufacturing technologies for the implementation of industry standard CAD and CAD to CAM software in readiness for manufacture. • Training to use advanced and the latest manufacturing techniques and equipment, such as 5 axis CNC machinery.
• Cutting edge quality control and inspection techniques incorporating the latest laser technologies and 3D profiling. • Operations and maintenance requirements of the latest manufacturing plants and processes. • Research and training into lean and efficient assembly and production techniques, including the ability for organisations to perform feasibility and testing studies in the Centre. HAMEC is driven by the dual aims of profound employer engagement and the need to ensure its students, particularly young people, have the right technical skills for the world of work.
TRAINING Our approach is employer-led, covering both current and future needs.
Our offer includes: • Technical and vocational Diplomas • Higher Certificates and Diplomas • Traineeships and Pre-Apprenticeships • Apprenticeships and Higher Apprenticeships • Sector-specific Leadership and Management training • Bespoke training for existing staff • Industry updates Whether you are a young person looking to enter into the world of engineering or an employer looking to recruit new talent or upskill your workforce, we will work with you to identify your needs and provide a clear training route.
PAIGE TENNISON
CONNOR HURKARDES
Paige originally undertook an Engineering Apprenticeship in 2009, as part of The Essex Apprenticeship scheme at Harlow College.
Connor studied his Foundation Degree in Engineering at University Centre Harlow and is currently working with Visteon Engineering Services based in Chelmsford, as an electronics technician.
Currently employed at Harlow College as an Advanced Manufacture Research Assistant
She then secured an Advanced Apprenticeship with Applied Scintillation Technologies Ltd in Harlow, world leaders in phosphor and scintillation technology. While working there as a Manufacturing Technical Support Apprentice, Paige went from strength to strength. She achieved a Level 3 NVQ, a Foundation Degree and completed her NVQ Level 4 in Engineering. Paige’s career journey has come full circle as she is now employed at Harlow College as an Advanced Manufacture Research Assistant. Part of her role involves being on secondment to large companies to gain knowledge of highly technical equipment, which she can feedback to tutors in the new Harlow Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Centre. When asked what impact her career path has made to her life Paige said: “I feel like a different person. I’m now very career minded, confident and I’m constantly thinking about how I can further my career in engineering.”
Former FdSc Engineering student at University Centre Harlow
Of his learning experience Connor commented: “I work in a busy laboratory environment as an electronics technician, working on development builds and products for both external and internal customers. As a result of gaining my degree in engineering I’ve seen both my pay and working responsibilities increase faster than my colleagues who didn’t continue their learning to university level. I would recommend higher education via a Higher Apprenticeship as not only does it help to develop specialised workplace skills, but also life, communication and presentation skills, no matter how old you are!”
PARTNERSHIPS
The South East Local Enterprise Partnership, Essex County Council and Harlow College have contributed £11 million to develop the Harlow Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Centre, marking their commitment to support the skills needs of the local and UK manufacturing industry. Collaboration with leading UK and international manufacturers will ensure HAMEC delivers a steady stream of skilled young people and adults to fill Apprenticeships and job vacancies, connecting to the companies who need them most. HAMEC’s employer partners will have access to leading industry suppliers of manufacturing machinery who will work with them to provide advice and support. ‘Open House’ events throughout the year will enable employers to view and understand the latest developments in their products and services and will foster job growth and technical advancement.
BENEFITS TO BUSINESS
With its links to the Harlow Enterprise Zone, HAMEC offers unique training and support services to the engineering and manufacturing sector.
HAMEC is committed to: • Growing local talent to narrow the skills gap • Delivering the vital skills to boost productivity and to enable your business to progress • Providing bespoke training for your existing workforce • Providing you with a committed workforce • Training and experience on real-life projects • Supporting businesses to develop and grow This brand new Centre is set to expand the number of young people and apprentices following engineering courses whilst enabling existing engineering employees and adult learners to upskill and reskill to develop the skills and experience required by employers. To further support the manufacturing sector, HAMEC provides a recruitment service for recruiting business-ready apprentices, matching the skills and individual with the employer’s specific requirements, saving the business time and resources. With funding from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, Essex County Council and Harlow College and with the support of our employer advisory board, HAMEC has procured world-class, high specification manufacturing machinery that will be used to develop tomorrow’s highly skilled workforce. Manufacturing employers are encouraged to use the Centre and its resources as a business development and support capacity, including proving new products, research and development and developing new methods and processes.
LOCATION
Harlow lies at the centre of the The London-Stansted-Cambridge Innovation Corridor which is home to a huge range of businesses. It has clear strengths in a number of high-end sectors, such as Manufacturing and Precision Engineering and Digital and IT.
The birthplace of fibre optic technology, Harlow has a heritage in innovation and enterprise and advanced manufacturing. The Harlow Enterprise Zone will continue this tradition for innovation and enterprise, developing new technologies and new products, stimulating innovation and generating economic growth at its Harlow campus. HAMEC will be integral to this by creating a new generation of engineers and technicians to support Harlow’s advanced manufacturing sector to continue to innovate and grow.
Julian Bedford, Managing Director
For BTL Precision, the opening of HAMEC is a huge boost for the engineering sector in the region. With the state-of-the-art facilities onsite and close collaboration between the College and industry, the long term future of young, talented engineers suddenly looks extremely bright! To potentially have a pool of youngsters (and maybe not so young) who have been trained at HAMEC in the use of its advanced technology will be of great benefit to our business and many others in the precision engineering sector.
“
“
BTL PRECISION
We look forward to working closely with Harlow College for many years to come.
Darren Cook, Area Sales Manager
“
“
HEXAGON
The partnership with HAMEC is a great chance to continue our work with students and the education sector, and also raise the awareness of the latest innovative technology that Hexagon has developed. By supporting HAMEC and their student base we ensure the future of our industry, as Hexagon is keen to support and help develop the next generation of quality engineers.