The £2m Walsall College Digital Engineering Skills Centre aims to address a skills gap within industry in the Year of the Engineer.
The centre will include 3D printing technologies, robotics, industry 4.0 technologies, programmable logic controllers, CNC machines and high specification computers for industrial design processes, upskilling and learning.
The facility, located on Portland Street, is also home to advanced construction equipment, including those that assist with the planning, design, construction and maintenance of buildings. The centre is expected to meet the year on year growth in demand for training in the engineering and construction sectors.
The opening of the new centre has also enabled the college to expand its construction offer at its Green Lane campus, which includes new skills training facilities.
The college currently offers a range of apprenticeships in both areas, including a Higher Apprenticeship in Construction Management.
Jatinder Sharma OBE, college Principal and Chief Executive, said: “We are thrilled to launch our latest centre, which will complement the state-of-the-art facilities we currently have across our other campuses.
“The centre will enable the expansion of Walsall College’s provision of full time, part time and apprenticeships within engineering and construction to meet industry needs across the region.
“Engineering, manufacturing and technology offer real tangible long-term opportunities to people, especially in the West Midlands.
“Hundreds of apprenticeships and jobs are vacant in the sector and businesses continue to report skills gaps that are key barriers to efficient productivity.
“This project will connect our students with new career opportunities, providing them with the education, training and
employability skills they need to succeed in the engineering and construction industries.”
The college is now enrolling for courses, as well as offering careers advice and guidance.
For further information about enrolling on a course, call 01922 657000.