Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills: Supporting UK industry by upskilling and multiskilling the workforce, with a focus on developing technical skills and knowledge in the engineering, manufacturing, casting, and metalforming sectors.
Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills Welcome
The Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills (ECMS) is an employer-led training facility based in the Black Country, designed to enhance productivity within the manufacturing, engineering, and wider industries. The ECMS has a hub-and-spoke model with a number of training centres housing specialist equipment. Both the National Foundry Training Centre in Tipton and the ECMS Springfield Hub in Wolverhampton can provide facilities designed to drive economic growth through the upskilling and multiskilling of the workforce.
The centres are ideally suited for regional and national training organisations or for manufacturing companies to host either oneoff or regular staff development programmes. In addition, the ECMS Springfield Hub can provide a large event space for activities such as product launches and exhibitions. Both centres have excellent transport links to the Midlands motorway networks. ECMS has received over £12m funding from the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership and Midlands Engine to build and equip the centres. ECMS is a partnership between the University of Wolverhampton, Dudley College, Cast Metals Federation, Confederation of British Metalforming, Institute of Cast Metals Engineers and In-Comm Training. The ECMS is particularly able to support the advanced manufacturing sector of metalforming and casting through a unique model that brings together the very best of higher, further, and private education providers, with trade associations to deliver in-demand industrial skills.
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Elite Locations
ECMS Springfield Hub, Wolverhampton
Ground Floor Facilities: IT suite, Exhibition Space, Metallurgy Lab, Teaching Room. First Floor Facilities: Boardroom, Teaching Room.
The ECMS Springfield Hub is located at the centre of the University of Wolverhampton’s Springfield Campus. The building is not only in a great location but has its own history, transforming a former brewery into a campus designed for the future. The Metallurgy Lab at the Springfield Hub has been developed to accommodate, teach, and inspire all metallurgical requirements. It has state-of-the-art equipment capable of answering questions covering topics that range from failure analysis through to quality assurance.
Built in 2018, the Springfield Hub can host largescale events, meetings, and training courses, all of which will contribute to the development of the manufacturing sector and beyond. With three training rooms and an IT Suite in addition to the Metallurgy Laboratory, the Hub is able to facilitate a broad range of business-related activities.
ECMS National Foundry Training Centre, Tipton The National Foundry Training Centre is the first of its kind in the UK for 20 years. Located in the heart of the Black Country at Tipton, it is a purpose-built training centre, housing the latest foundry technology to train future foundry operators, engineers, and technicians. It is also available to upskill and multiskill existing staff, providing an opportunity for both practical and knowledge-based training.
Foundry Facilities: Sand and Metal Laboratory, Patternshop with CNC capabilities. 2 x 20KG capacity furnaces designed for non-ferrous and ferrous casting. Other Facilities: Boardroom, Teaching Room, IT Suite.
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Elite Partnerships Through its funding, the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership has been instrumental in ensuring that ECMS is able to deliver provision that is in demand by the industry. The Centre’s ongoing development will be led by the University of Wolverhampton in collaboration with a number of other recognised partners with the combined aim of driving economic prosperity.
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University of Wolverhampton
The Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (BCLEP)
For over 190 years, the University of Wolverhampton has been providing students with a first class education.
The BCLEP aims to aid greater economic prosperity across the Black Country area by helping to create the conditions for enterprise to flourish in the region.
Since 2015, the University has been enhancing the student experience and regenerating the region’s economy through its biggest ever investment generation programme. The five-year, multi-millionpound ‘Our Vision, Your Opportunity’ plan has invested in buildings, facilities, teaching, research and skills training, and its most ambitious aspect, Springfield Campus, is home to the Hub for the Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills. The University, which has three main campuses in Wolverhampton, Walsall, and Telford, has been commended by the Quality Assurance Agency for its enhancement of student learning opportunities. In 2018 the University was awarded silver as part of the Teaching Excellence Framework, recognising that it delivers high quality teaching, learning, and outcomes to its students.
The ECMS is a flagship project, funded by the BCLEP Local Growth Funding stream, highlighting the BCLEP’s facilitation and co-ordination of actions by private, public, and voluntary sector organisations to deliver results. The Centre’s focus is on stimulating the drivers of economic regeneration, education and skills development, and infrastructure and environmental enhancements. By increasing employment levels and the number of businesses operating in the area, as well as upskilling across the workforce, the BCLEP aims to close the national multi-billion-pound productivity gap.
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Dudley College of Technology
Institute of Cast Metals Engineers (ICME)
Cast Metals Federation (CMF)
For more than 150 years, Dudley College of Technology has played a pivotal role in the provision of vocational and technical education in the Dudley borough and wider Black Country.
The ICME is the professional institute for all individuals involved in the castings industry and associated industries.
The CMF represents the best of British casting to organisations and individuals across the globe.
Building on the casting industry’s long and proud tradition, the ICME brings together people from all sectors and levels, to offer help and advice, technical support, and professional development opportunities.
Based in the heart of the West Midlands where it operates from the ECMS National Foundry Training Centre, the Federation acts as a single voice for the UK foundry industry, ensuring that the needs of UK foundries, foundry suppliers, and castings buyers are met.
In 2012, the college successfully completed and opened the first two phases of the Dudley Learning Quarter, and in April 2015 opened a specialist centre for advanced manufacturing and engineering technology. This success has resulted in Ofsted recognising Dudley College as one of the highest performing general further education colleges in the country. Looking to the future, the College’s strategic plan aims to continue enhancing services for employers, supporting more young people and adults into work, upskilling those in work, and providing the essential skills training to prepare people to take advantage of opportunities in our regional economy.
In-Comm Training and Business Services
Confederation of British Metalforming (CBM)
Rated by Ofsted as ‘Outstanding’, In-Comm is one of the UK’s leading providers of training and business services, working across more than 10 sectors and with 250 different companies.
The CBM is the leading trade association for all UK manufacturers of fasteners, forgings, pressings and fabrications.
In-Comm combines 35 years’ experience with a £5m investment drive in its three state-of-the-art academies to deliver apprenticeships and upskilling opportunities in continuous improvement, leadership and management, safety, and quality compliance.
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ICME’s valued members include foundrymen, design engineers, metallurgists, moulders, patternmakers, computer-aided design (CAD) technicians, methods engineers, researchers, students, and suppliers to the industry, all of whom the ICME helps to make the most of their careers in the castings industry.
For manufacturers seeking the best of British casting, CMF members supply precision-finished parts and assemblies to the UK and global markets – an output valued at over £2 billion.
Foundry Training Services Ltd were established to provide first-class training to the industry, for the industry. Foundry Training Services are industry specialists who are both passionate and committed to not only training the foundry technicians of the future but also upskilling the current workforce.
Working with its members and the UK government, CBM creates a world-class metalforming supply base for UK manufacturing with members providing high-quality components to key industry sectors. The Confederation offers both business support and representation at the highest level for the metalforming industry.
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Health and Safety There are a variety of Health and Safety courses on offer for your team. PLT Training uses a practical approach and encourages discussion to inform delegates of the importance of Health and Safety elements in their job role, ensuring that they leave the course with effective knowledge to put into practice.
Mental Health An important topic of discussion in today’s workplace is mental health, as it’s important for employers to understand how to manage this in the workplace. Join HR Dept as they share knowledge on how to assist colleagues facing mental health issues.
First Aid Training Ultimate Care offer a range of courses that cover first aid, and health and safety at work to meet the differing needs of your business.
Options: Manual Handling, NEBOSH, Fire Marshal Training, Lift Truck Safety for Manager, plus more.
Elite Courses Joining forces with a range of training organisations to multiskill and develop today’s workforce. Overleaf is a range of courses that ECMS is able to provide. If you require something that is not listed, please get in touch as we are continually expanding and developing our offering. We are able to tap into a wealth of expertise through our partners and training associates.
Microsoft Office - Day Courses Imagine Training offer beginner to expert Microsoft Office courses, delivered online in two half day sessions. Whether you need tips on Excel spreadsheets and formulas or an overview of the whole programme, Imagine Training can help you save time in your day with Microsoft Office training.
M & C Educational Services provide online Metallurgy training courses which have been approved for Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training by The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.
Online Marketing Keep your business social media savvy. Online Marketing Growth will give your business tips and advice around the importance of online marketing, covering whether you need to find a better way to utilise your social media channels, such as LindkedIn.
Human Resource - HR Improve your employee performance with HR Dept, which provides advice and practical support around employment law, management, and personal development, to ensure that your business is effectively supporting its workforce.
Options: Discipline and Grievance Procedure, Team Leader and Supervisory Training, Coaching and Mentoring, Interviewing and Recruitment.
Options: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Office 365, OneNote.
Foundry Training Foundry Training Services Ltd deliver Apprenticeships, Diplomas and a range of face to face and online short and bespoke training courses. These are delivered by experienced industry experts.
Web Development Enable Technology offers reporting and database training. It also provides website development courses including website coding using JavaScript. Add to your technical skillset and increase your web development knowledge, creating engaging and user-friendly websites.
Options: LinkedIn in a Day, Introduction to Social Media, Creating Business through LinkedIn, and Google My Business.
Options: Metallurgy for NonMetallurgists, Lean Manufacturing.
CAD – Computer-Aided Software
Funded Projects and Grants Information
Enhance your skills and knowledge with AutoCAD software training. Learn CAD techniques and theory, gathering the knowledge to create drawings of parts and assemblies.
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Metallurgy
The Technology Supply Chain is a no-cost membership organisation which can connect you with grants and fully-funded projects appropriate to the requirements of your company.
Options: Visio, PHP, JavaScript, Data Analytics, Crystal Reports and SQL.
Please check out the ECMS webpages for the latest courses
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Hire an Apprentice What are apprenticeships? Apprenticeships are government funded workbased training programmes for people aged 16 and over. They combine on-the-job training with nationally recognised qualifications and are a great way to build a skilled and motivated workforce. The ECMS training partners offer a range of engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships in a variety of disciplines up to level 6. If you are interested in pre-apprenticeship programmes or the University of Wolverhampton Degree Apprenticeships, we are happy to discuss and make the relevant referral. Please contact the ECMS on the number below to discuss opportunities.
What are the benefits for your business? • Develop a highly skilled, professional workforce • Train your current workforce, bringing new knowledge and skills into your business • Acquire new talent, including high-calibre school-leavers • Create opportunities for progression within your organisation • Access the expertise available within the ECMS
Feedback “The National Foundry Training Centre is an important facility for the casting foundry and patternmaking industry in the UK. Training of apprentices can be carried out safely and without interrupting production, on equipment that is similar to that used industry – and of course the facility can also be used to upskill other employees. There is a demand for many new engineers and technicians to come into the industry, so that our companies are able to meet the future demand for castings from so many manufacturing sectors. This is a vital resource for the industry.” Dr Pam Murrell FICME – Cast Metals Federation
“The facility at ECMS is exactly what the industry needs: specialist foundry equipment in a training environment coupled with experienced lecturers and industry engineers to explain and understand our industry.” Darren Lamb - Omega Foundry Machinery
“We find the excellent facilities at the ECMS ideal for delivering our range of courses. The staff are fully supportive and we enjoy collaborating closely to provide first class training to companies in the engineering and manufacturing sectors in their central locations.” Karen Turner - Imagine Training
Employers or potential apprentices should contact the ECMS on 01902 321678 or email enquiries@theecms.co.uk
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“A fantastic initiative providing a modern, practical learning environment and a great opportunity for young talent to develop a career in the UK cast metal industry.”
“The team at ECMS are great to work with. They were very accommodating for our event and quick to respond to any of our questions and queries.”
Dominic Oates - Asmet LTD
Martha Orrey - Black Country Business Festival
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Elite Room Hire Facilities
Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills offers businesses the opportunity to hire out its rooms and facilities at both Springfield Hub and the National Foundry Training Centre. There is a range of specialist facilities available whether you need a meeting room, exhibition space, scientific laboratories, teaching rooms, or an IT Suite.
Please contact the ECMS on 01902 321 678 or email enquiries@theecms.co.uk
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Where ECMS Springfield Hub ECMS, Springfield Campus, Cambridge Street, Wolverhampton, WV10 0JR Manchester
Tel: (01902) 321678
Sheffield
ECMS National Foundry Training Centre National Foundry Training Centre, Tipton Road, Tipton, DY4 7UW Tel: (01902) 321955 ECMS Advanced Welding Centre @ Dudley College Dudley College – Advance II, Priory Rd, Dudley, DY1 4AD Tel: (01384) 363000
Birmingham
Cardiff
Bristol
London
ECMS National Press and Tooling Centre @ In-Comm Training Vigo Place, Aldridge, Walsall, West Midlands, WS9 8UG Tel: (01922) 457686
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Contact us The ECMS - Springfield Hub Springfield Campus Cambridge Street Wolverhampton WV10 OJR Tel: 01902 321678 The ECMS National Foundry Training Centre Tipton Rd Tipton DY4 7UW Tel: 01902 321955 Email: enquiries@theecms.co.uk www.theecms.co.uk
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