MTC TRAINING APPRENTICES REACH NATIONAL QUALIFIER OF WORLDSKILLS UK
Eight ambitious MTC learners demonstrate their Additive Manufacturing knowhow
Aspiring engineers based at Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS) training centre in Abingdon, are celebrating success in reaching the National Qualifier stage of a WorldSkills UK competition. Working with OAS's training provider, MTC Training, learners battled it out in the first stage of online testing, which tested their Additive Manufacturing knowledge.
The challenge aims to inspire learners through competition-based training, with a focus on the essential skills needed for a successful career in Additive Manufacturing, asking participants to showcase their skills in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software design, Fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D Printing and 3D scanning. It also assesses their competency-based skills developed on the level 3 hi-tech programmes, such as numeracy, technical knowledge, problem-solving, attention to detail and communication.
Jakub Strzelczyk, Myles Crossland, Thomas Greenaway and Hayden Lacey from Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), Luke Speckles and Laurie Husband from UK Atomic Energy Authority, Holly Stowell from Reaction Engines and Ben Hibberd from Element 6 proved they had what it took to secure a place in the National Qualifiers.
Challenger, Ben Hibberd, an OAS apprentice, is delighted to have proved his newfound skills to the judges and make it through to the National Qualifiers.
"When the idea of competing was presented to me, I agreed, thinking it would be an interesting experience, never expecting to make it through. Now I'm competing with some of the best and working hard to develop my skills, it’s already a very memorable experience."
OAS Head of Finance and Operations , Emma Johnstone, has seen the competition bring out the best in the apprentices.
“We have built an effective system for our learners here at OAS, which includes a plethora of extra enrichment activities, in addition to the programme curriculum which builds their foundational skills in engineering and advanced manufacturing.
“Competitions like this support the technical knowledge, ensuring the new employees are ready to deliver the knowledge when they go to work for their employers in the second year of their apprenticeship, but they also develop the softer skills that allow them to do the job well.”
The National Qualifiers, which will take place on 29th June, will challenge the competitors with reverse engineering and printing of a part using Fused Filament Fabrication technology.
If successful at the Qualifiers, the apprentices will go on to compete in the National Final, which will see them put their problem-solving skills to the test again through a series of challenges over two days, including obtaining broken part data using a scanner and repairing a broken element of a scanned part file.