26th September 2024
Local engineering students and apprentices have been celebrated to mark National Manufacturing Day, as Cornwall College and Plymouth Engineering Skills Centre (PESC) highlight emerging talent and the bright future of manufacturing.
The Cornwall College Group is now in its third year of a highly successful academy programme with the Cornwall Manufacturers Group (CMG), which gives school-age students the opportunity to kick-start their careers in the manufacturing and engineering sectors while still completing their GCSEs.
Many students have progressed from the CMG Academy to full-time courses or apprenticeships at Cornwall College and Plymouth Engineering Skills Centre, solidifying their career paths and gaining specialised skills in bespoke practices. 
Luke Blewett, Level 3 Machinist Apprentice at the Camborne campus and employed by Wes, reflected on his journey: “I completed the CMG Academy when I was at Redruth School, and it gave me such a great head start in my career. I’ve just started my apprenticeship with Wes and am really enjoying it already.”
Lucie Avison, Level 3 Metal Fabricator Apprentice employed by Fugro, shared her experience as a female in the industry: “Being a female in the industry is hard, but it makes you want to fight for it even more. The College helps you explore all sides of manufacturing and engineering, makes me realise there are plenty of options and it opens many doors for us in the future.”
Similarly, Joel Snowden, Level 3 Machinist Apprentice employed by ANH Welding Services, credited the CMG Academy for setting him on the path to success:
“I really enjoyed the CMG Academy during my time at Pool Academy. Cornwall College has always been supportive, showing me all the different options available. I feel like I’m on the right path to achieving my future goals.”
At Plymouth Engineering Skills Centre, Kyan Cannicott, Level 3 Engineering Technician Machinist apprentice, has thrived at the College and he said: “My favourite thing about this course is that we get to use top-quality machines, milling and turning. In the future the skills I’m learning here will allow me to achieve a higher level in engineering and allow me to become a successful machine setter, operator and programmer.”
Curriculum Area Managers at Cornwall College Neil Atkinson and Darren Reski, and Head of PESC Andrew Phillips, highlighted the importance of celebrating manufacturing and engineering to ensure local talent continues to thrive and access the best opportunities in this vital sector.
Apprenticeships extend to TCCG’s Duchy College Stoke Climsland campus and Bicton College, where agriculture engineering apprentices learn transferable skills at our state-of-the-art Agritech facility that can be applied within the manufacturing sector.
For more information, visit our website.
