CiE News
Hethel Engineering Centre Launches New Learning Skills Centre
The Learning Skills Centre is a hub and resource centre for teachers and students studying science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects. It will predominantly be used by high schools linking into feeder primary schools, as well as colleges including Norwich City College and the College of West Anglia.
The new centre houses specialist engineering design, prototyping and manufacturing equipment including CAD/CAM, Rapid Prototyping, CNC 5-axis / lathe / mill capability, Wire Erosion and Injection Moulding which will help to promote the various careers available in manufacturing and engineering by offering practical training opportunities.
Simon Coward said: "This new Learning Skills Centre is a fantastic resource to give students hands-on experience of the very latest engineering workshop facilities and equipment. It will help increase awareness of the exciting and rewarding opportunities in manufacturing and engineering for students, teachers and advisors in our region. Our new ‘Pathways to Engineering’ programme supports this by helping to identify the qualifications that will get students on the right path to a career in the engineering or manufacturing industry.”
The launch was attended by teachers and Hethel Engineering Centre’s associated partners including The Exchange, Connexions, and Norfolk Learning Partnerships. Speeches were given by Wyndham Northam, Pat Fenn and Richard Green, Chief Executive of DATA (Design and Technology Association). The first Norfolk / Suffolk branch of DATA for teachers was also launched at the event.
Lotus win deal to boost greener driving!
Lotus yesterday won two government contracts to help create the greener and more fuel efficient cars of the future.
The Norfolk-based car maker and engineering firm will help develop zero-emission London taxi cabs by 2012 and create a greener executive car as part of a consortium including Jaguar.
Group Lotus chief executive Mike Kimberley said the company's expertise in producing lightweight, hybrid, electric and fuel efficient vehicles could provide green and “guilt free performance motoring” - adding that Lotus's engineering consultancy was in high demand.
“There is a world-wide drive to reduce carbon dioxide emission levels and this is something to which we are dedicated, for both our Lotus cars and our global engineering clients,” he said.
Mr Kimberley also revealed that Lotus is looking to recruit 130 engineers worldwide, the majority for the engineering consultancy side of the business. Between 35 and 45 of the engineers would be based at Lotus HQ at Hethel.
The company is also set to step up production of the 100pc electric roadster it makes for Tesla, with the number of cars rolling off the Hethel production line expected to increase from five a week to 40 a week by the end of the year.