THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD AMRC TRAINING CENTRE
The University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre is the place where ambition and aspiration is nurtured and developed to create the talented, advanced engineers of tomorrow.
As part of the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, our apprentices are perfectly placed to draw on the experience of an elite Russell Group university and the resources of a world-leading research and innovation organisation, whose 460-plus partners include Siemens, Technicut, Boeing, Rolls-Royce, Toyota Motorsport GMBH, Unilever, McLaren and Airbus.
Our industry-focused courses allow employers to respond to needs and changes, ensuring skills levels are maintained within workforces; whether that is electrical and robotics, machining, or metals and materials – we’ve got it covered.
Overview of investment
The training centre has invested in two dedicated teaching suites within its state-of-the-art facility as part of the South Yorkshire IoT and is creating an enhanced augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) system with high-performance computing facilities to give students access to the latest cutting-edge technologies used by industry.
The equipment includes high-performance PC workstations and graphics cards to facilitate the use of the new AR/VR system. It will mean apprentices can use Microsoft HoloLens mixed-reality headsets to experience a nuclear reactor control room in the virtual world from the safety of the classroom. Students will also have access to industry standard software such as SCADA simulation and SCADA PLC, while Arduino and Orangepip hardware will enable them to use control systems.
COURSES
CASE STUDY
Q. Why did an apprenticeship appeal to you?
An apprenticeship appealed to me because it gave me a chance to develop my skills outside of classroom learning and build upon my career in an industrial environment. An apprenticeship was the perfect gateway that not only allowed me to continue in-depth studies through a degree but the chance to apply my new knowledge in the workplace and bring positive change to my employer.
Q. What are the benefits of an apprenticeship?
The main benefit of the apprenticeship in my opinion was the opportunity to study and work simultaneously. I believe it provides a fantastic balance of learning and practical application for people leaving full-time education and is a great first step into a working environment. Also, earning a wage whilst learning presents so many opportunities that may be missed should people choose another path of education.
Q. How will your apprenticeship give you the skills and knowledge you need for a rewarding career?
Through completing my apprenticeship I feel that I have gained a varied skillset, both from the content of my studies and the management of them whilst working alongside them. I can implement my subject knowledge into my job to bring positive change to the business and share new ideas. The skills developed such as managing workload, presenting work and conducting myself in a professional manner have also improved immensely through completing my apprenticeship.
Q. What has been the best part about doing an apprenticeship at the AMRC Training Centre?
Learning about a subject I am passionate about and seeing theories being used in real-life practices has been the most exciting part of my apprenticeship. To see these intricate processes at work and watch how they can have such a positive impact on a business’s operations is fantastic and gives so much hope for the future of engineering.
Q. Who inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
I’m lucky to have been surrounded by people with a passion for engineering for much of my life, including friends and family. My Design and Technology teacher in sixth form was a pivotal part of my decision to pursue a career in industry, highlighting my spark and desire for the subject before even recognising it myself. After explaining the opportunities I had in front of me and showing what studying in this field could bring me, I made the decision to seek out an apprenticeship.
Q. What tips and/or advice would you give to other people looking to do an apprenticeship?
The key piece of advice I would give to anyone thinking of completing an apprenticeship would be to research as much as possible. It is important to know as much as you can about the roles available to you and learn about potential employers to see if they are the right fit for you.
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