The Most - Issue 1

especially in construction and related trades. All our tutors have worked in the industry and now we have the equipment from hand tools to automated processing for learners to gain the experience they need.” Malcolm Cuthbertson, managing director at Weinig UK, explained: “As a global business that develops and manufactures industry-leading woodworking machinery, we want to help support and develop the next generation of talent in the UK and help to close the skills gap in the manufacturing sector. “We believe that, as a leader in our field, we have a responsibility to invest in the industry’s future and engage with colleges and students who are passionate about the industry. That’s why our work doesn’t just stop once the machines have been installed. As well as upgrading the college’s machines when new technology becomes available, we will also provide ongoing technical support to both tutors and students and invite students to our showroom in Abingdon so they have an opportunity to engage with engineers and learn more about the range of machinery available and the technology behind them. “In turn, this partnership will ensure that our customers across the North West will have access to a talented workforce that have experience working on some of the most established machines in the industry.” UK FIRST FOR PRESTON’S COLLEGE Preston’s College is the first college in the UK to take delivery of four state-of-the-art wood workingmachines fromWeinig UK. The machines, which include a top specification five axis CNC router, Powermat 700moulder, a wallsaw and a cross cut saw, have been installed to allow joinery students to learn the very latest manufacturing processes and production techniques on some of the industry’s most sought after equipment. Due to the size of the equipment, an external wall was removed and replaced with amodern roller door. The joinery department at the college is also being redesigned to fit around the new installation. Learners will now benefit froma specialised traditional workshop, featuringmanual hand tools and wooden work benches, leading into an adjacent high-techmachinery workshop where the newWeinig equipment sits. The advanced technology integrated into each machine will provide learners with an opportunity to use machinery and software programmes currently being used in the woodworking industry, including CAD (Computer Aided Design) and CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing software) and showcase contemporary design methods that are still in their infancy. Mark Taylor, head of school for construction and built environment at Preston’s College commented: “This investment in the latest leading technology underpins our ambition to deliver excellence in teaching for our learners. As the only college in the UK to offer training on this equipment, which is used by leading employers across the globe, means we can give them the skills and experience to excel in their chosen career. “Preston’s College attracts learners from across Lancashire as we’ve grown our reputation as specialists in delivering technical education, 17