New College Durham (NCD) has brought together manufacturing and engineering leaders to identify the skills, training and workforce needed to support the North East’s advanced manufacturing sector, in the lead up to National Manufacturing Day on Thursday 24th September.
The employer-led event, hosted by NCD’s Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence College (AMTEC) in partnership with Theo James Recruitment, gave businesses the opportunity to share first-hand insight into changing roles, recruitment challenges, skills gaps and the technologies shaping their future workforce.
NCD is one of only four colleges in England recognised by the Department for Education as an Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence College, with a national remit to strengthen collaboration between education, employers and the wider skills system.
Hosted by Principal and Chief Executive Andy Broadbent and Deputy Principal Alison Maynard, the event marks an important step in developing AMTEC’s employer-led approach.
Andy Broadbent, Principal and Chief Executive at New College Durham, said:
“The strength and purpose of AMTEC will come from the partnerships we build with industry. We want employers to have a genuine voice in shaping the skills, training and opportunities available across the region, while making it easier for businesses to connect with the expertise and talent they need.
“This event is an important opportunity to listen directly to industry and turn that insight into action. By bringing employers, education partners and other organisations together, we can co-design an approach that responds more effectively to emerging technologies and creates a skills pipeline that supports both business growth and the communities we serve.”
Chris Small, Director of AMTEC, said:
“Our ambition is to be flexible and responsive to what industry and our communities actually need. That means listening to employers, understanding where the skills gaps are and developing curriculum and training that can adapt as technology, roles and businesses evolve.
“We want our provision to benefit everyone, giving students the skills and experience to progress into rewarding careers, helping businesses recruit and develop the people they need, and creating opportunities for communities to access new industries and economic growth.
“AMTEC gives us a fantastic platform to co-design opportunities with employers, from curriculum and apprenticeships to specialist upskilling and bespoke training. The more closely we work together, the more relevant and impactful that provision can be.”
The discussions explored the capabilities manufacturers will need over the next 12 months and beyond, including the impact of automation, robotics, digital manufacturing, artificial intelligence, space, and sustainability.
The findings will help NCD identify priorities for future training, facilities and investment, while developing a stronger pipeline of employers looking to collaborate with AMTEC.
The initiative builds on NCD’s established employer partnerships and its role as lead educational partner for the North East Institute of Technology. Home to the National Battery & Training Skills Academy, NCD has also developed a dedicated Training and Skills Development Team to help employers access training, skills and workforce development support.
Chris added:
“This is not about asking businesses simply to tell us what the skills problem is. It is about creating the relationships that allow us to work together on practical solutions.
"It’s also our intention to strengthen our partnerships with a number of industry leaders by taking our training team into their workplaces and working directly alongside their subject matter experts. This will ensure that our knowledge and practice remain at the cutting edge of what is happening across the industry, allowing us to bring those latest insights, technologies and real-world experiences directly back into education.”
Businesses interested in influencing future advanced manufacturing skills and training can find out more about working with New College Durham through our employer partnership programme.