News: RISE graduate scheme returns

The fifth cohort of the RISE graduate scheme is now available to Rotherham businesses. It is part of a unique business support initiative focussed on enabling small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to grow through the employment of graduate talent.

RISE has been effective in helping SMEs overcome the barriers faced in graduate recruitment and equipping them with the tools and know-how to become successful graduate employers.

Since 2013 RISE has supported more than 400 SMEs based across the Sheffield City Region, successfully recruit over 500 graduates.

Many of those businesses have gone on to report increases in turnover, productivity, innovation and growth as a result. The enhanced RISE project now provides even more comprehensive business support and business benefits.

RISE support is free for businesses to use.

The scheme will help businesses access top quality graduate talent for your business through the following means:
- Help to draft an advert, providing graduate-specific labour market advice and expertise
- Advertise the role as part of a national targeted advertising campaign
- Undertake candidate selection processes using application forms, technical tests, video interviews and assessment centres
- Assist in the logistics of setting up final interviews
- Sessions/training on best-practice recruitment, allowing us to transfer the know-how to recruit graduates in the future
- A grant available for businesses who use the scheme for the first time

Advertisement
Elaine Errington, HR and finance director at Rotherham-based S3-ID, said: "Our business plan is to bring people in early and give them the experience they need. Through our apprenticeship schemes and RISE graduates, we are building engineers of the future.

"RISE is helping to secure the future workforce and success of the business."

Oliver Tarrant, SME Engagement manager with RISE said: “During these uncertain times we recognise how important it is that small and medium sized businesses, who are wanting to grow their business and recruit talented graduates, receive high-quality, straightforward, and safe support.

“We will work closely with businesses to provide a tailored service and to help them save costs and time, offering a rigorous selection process.

“We are engaging with businesses from now until 10th February, but we are ideally looking for businesses to get in touch as soon as possible.”

The RISE programme is delivered in partnership by Sheffield City Council, Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield, and is part-funded by the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.

RISE launched in 2013 in direct response to the needs of businesses. With an early remit to grow the local economy through graduate attraction, matching, retention and job creation, the scheme has evolved over the last seven years to add value through wrap-around business growth support.

RISE website

Images: RISE

Read more...

News: Apprentice raises £6,000 for Coronavirus response

A big-hearted University Centre Rotherham (UCR) apprentice who has combined her busy NHS management role with studying towards a Level 5 Healthcare Assistant Practitioner apprenticeship, has been instrumental in leading her local community's response to the Coronavirus crisis by raising over £6,000 worth of donations and delivering over 250 food parcels.

Cath McCartan, who has worked in the NHS for over 25 years, has excelled since starting her apprenticeship in May 2018.

The apprenticeship, delivered in partnership with RNN Training, combines on-the-job experience with off-the-job training and has seen Cath gain a Foundation Degree in Professional Practice in Health and Social Care, change the focus of her work, and receive a promotion to become Service Support Manager for Out Patients and Support Services.

Since March 2020, Cath has combined the challenge of working for the NHS with leading a team of volunteers in response to Coronavirus. The team work to ensure that Thurcroft residents in need of support receive it. She credits some of the leadership skills she has gained on her apprenticeship with being able to coordinate a team of volunteers in the village.

Cath explained: "I've always tried to be involved in community activity as I think it’s really important. Coronavirus has had such an impact on so many people, and I knew there would be people in the community that needed support.

"I worked with the Parish Council to see what grants and funding were available to support our efforts. I think this is where what I have learnt on the apprenticeship was so useful. I knew how to communicate and show that I would be accountable for our activity. The other skills my apprenticeship has given me was in knowing what to delegate.

"We set up a Facebook page so that residents could get in touch and let us know that they needed support, or that they had neighbours who needed help. I knew that I had to delegate that to somebody who is a bit savvier with technology than I am to get the best from it. We were able to set-up donations and the local community donated over £6,000 to the cause.

"I hope that our volunteering has helped people through these tough times. We've had a buddy system, and we've been making phone calls and delivering shopping and medicine to those who were self-isolating. We have also prepared and delivered food parcels for those in need."

As well as coordinating the volunteer response to Coronavirus in Thurcroft, Cath has also secured over £20,000 worth of funding for the local football team, Thurcroft Miners Institute FC. The funding will help with improvements to the pitches and provide half-price football for the team’s players when they can safely return to training and playing matches.

RNN Training Healthcare Tutor and Assessor Wendy Flynn, a former NHS nurse, has taught Cath throughout her apprenticeship.

Wendy said: "I am so proud of Cath not only for the tremendous progress she has made on her apprenticeship and in her career but also the huge role she plays in her community.

"The demands that have been put on the NHS service over the last few months are immense, but Cath is a shining example of the type of personality you need to be successful in healthcare.

"She is so big-hearted; her communication and interpersonal skills are excellent and her work ethic is outstanding."

Images: Thurcroft Coronavirus Action Group / Facebook

Read more...

News: Rotherham students get their design fix

University Centre Rotherham Graphic Design students have been tasked with an exciting project by a successful graduate and founder of The Design Fix.

Graduate Amy Kilner visited the £12m town centre campus and met with foundation degree students to share her experiences of working as a creative lead at design agency, Hotshot. She is also the founder of The Design Fix – an online community of over 50,000 followers using the hashtag #thedesignfix to highlight how creativity inspires them as designers. The hashtag has been used 150,000 times so far whilst The Design Fix has been featured across blogs and stories 2,000 times.

Amy studied a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Graphic Design Communication Design (Top-up) at University Centre Rotherham and completed her course in summer 2019.

A brief was provided by Amy to the students on The Design Fix-led project titled Positive Creativity. This project is aimed at highlighting the benefits of online users sharing their work digitally and via social media, with wide-ranging opportunities such as references, constructive feedback, networking and the possibility of beginning new adventures and journeys for the budding Graphic Design students.

Tasked with creating artwork which communicates positive aspects of sharing work online, the Graphic Design students have been provided free reign to use their creativity in crafting exciting and relevant visuals.

As part of The Design Fix's participation in student award series The NeXt Big Thing Awards, the chosen finalists will be shared across all of The Design Fix's platforms for its thriving online community to see and share their thoughts on. Three finalists will receive a one year subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud.

Advertisement

Amy said: "The whole idea is for the students to use their creative expression to highlight how to use social media in a positive light – especially when sharing work.

"You have to like what you do otherwise there's no point; that's why the learners have chosen this course and this project is a good outlet for them to share their passion."

Graphic Design Foundation Degree Year 2 student Jack Reavey was one of the class of University Centre Rotherham students Amy provided the project brief to.

Jack said: "The project is an advertising campaign celebrating positivity in creativity and encourages people to post on social media whom may have previously not wanted to in fear of negative comments. It seems a good idea for people to engage with social media and put their work out there – there are decent people online who may pick up on this.

"I want to approach this with typography. Words just behave all the time! They're versatile and never get grainy. I'm looking forward to seeing what I can do."

Graphic Design Lecturer Tracy Gelder was present for the project brief and previously taught Amy when she was an aspiring Graphic Design student.

Tracy said: "For our students, this year is all about design work with work-based employers. The students now have the liberty to work with live clients. For example, Amy's visit is a wonderful opportunity for them to ask questions and delve in to how things are changing in the workplace.

"It's a brilliant chance for them to get ready to hit the ground running when out in the wider world."

Hotshot Creative Agency website
Design Fix website
UCR website

Images: UCR

Read more...

News: Duke of York meets students at University Centre Rotherham

The new £10.5m University Centre Rotherham (UCR) received a royal welcome this week as HRH The Duke of York KG, officially opened the higher education centre on Doncaster Gate.

The visit coincided with the centre being awarded Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), judging that the provider delivers consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for its students - the highest quality found in the UK.

UCR is a brand new campus dedicated to offering degrees and professional training qualifications, providing a state-of-the-art teaching facility in the heart of Rotherham town centre.

On Doncaster Gate, UCR is operated by leading education and training provider RNN Group and is part of the Rotherham Plan 2025, a strategy set out by the Rotherham Together Partnership to improve the economic and social wellbeing of the borough.

During the visit, The Duke was welcomed to the new campus by CEO and principal of the RNN Group, Jason Austin, along with the vice chair of the corporation, Stephen Smith, several members of the group's senior leadership team and governors.

Education is one of His Royal Highness' core areas of focus, with The Duke committed to supporting a wide range of pathways to ensure young people develop the skills they need to become economically active.

During the visit, the Duke discussed the positive impact that the centre will have in Rotherham and that the development is in the best interests of young people and local employers.

Advertisement

His Royal Highness was taken on a tour of the impressive building introducing staff and students studying within the centre, along with local employers and a range of alumni who have studied higher education courses within Rotherham College, also part of the RNN Group.

The main areas of focus during the visit were performing arts where degree students showcased a short performance from Shakespeare's Macbeth and media and photography where key features of the studio were described as enhancing the educational experience and employability skills.

Others included computing and digital and health and social care where The Duke had the opportunity to see how students work closely with local employers on live projects to ensure skills and experiences gained at UCR are relevant for the workplace. Students also demonstrated how the state-of-the-art facilities within the UCR are dedicated to providing all learners the opportunity to study their degrees locally without compromising on quality.

UCR's facilities also include specialist teaching areas, seminar and lecture rooms, a modern library, café and both independent and group study spaces.

RNN Group expects to run 50 different university-level courses by 2020, adding to the 32 higher-level courses currently on offer. The target is to attract 1,000 additional students over the first five years and tuition fees are under the £9,000 charged by many universities, making degrees more accessible for people in the town.

A commemorative plaque was unveiled by His Royal Highness, marking the opening of University Centre Rotherham as a key local Higher Education provider.

In March 2012 The Duke opened Rotherham College's Wentworth building offering specialist facilities in computing, business and accounting. Rotherham College is part of the same educational and training group as University Centre Rotherham, the RNN Group which also incorporates North Notts College, Dearne Valley College, RNN Training and other subsidiary training organisations. This continued investment in high quality education provision is aimed at increasing access to higher-level skills and, with the addition of University Centre Rotherham, higher or degree-level qualifications.

Jason Austin, CEO and principal of RNN Group, said: "With the official opening of our brand new University Centre Rotherham, we are proud to be extending our continued commitment to excellent education and training provision so that local people can now study degrees in the heart of Rotherham.

"We recognise this as an exciting step toward reducing the local skills gap and supporting the regional economy. We are delighted that the centre has been officially opened by HRH the Duke of York KG and hope this raises awareness of the significantly-improved access to local higher or degree-level qualifications."

The centre is hosting an open day this Saturday.

UCR website

Images: Duke of York / twitter

Read more...

News: Rotherham students team up with Wentworth Woodhouse

Foundation degree graphic design students at the University Centre Rotherham (UCR) have created a variety of marketing materials for a number of events at Wentworth Woodhouse, including Christmas markets, tours of the house and a lecture series.

The new £10.5m university campus opened its doors to students and adult learners in Rotherham town centre in September.

A re-brand project of the Wentworth Woodhouse café is also one of the projects the students had the chance to take on with a real-life client.

Mark Williamson, commercial manager at Wentworth Woodhouse, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for us as a team to work with students from UCR that may have a completely different outlook to what our materials need to look like.

"We don't want Wentworth Woodhouse as an estate to have a feel of old, dusty and serious, so a fresh and contemporary look to our branding may be just what we need to attract our audience."

Advertisement

Each project included a presentation to display the theory behind each design as well as an example of what each design could possibly look like as a final product. Design ideas ranged from a focus on one of the house's large chandeliers, an iconic piece of furniture, to more modernist themes.

Brad, one of the students who has been involved in the project said: "I really enjoy making my design with a modernist approach, with a strong focus on the content rather than just the visual image.

"My brief was to create a leaflet for the lecture series, but I felt the word "lecture" would perhaps put people off attending the programme; and so I swapped it for a more relaxed style and simply re-branded to "let's talk.""

The designs chosen are being used by Wentworth Woodhouse to promote their upcoming events. The Grade I listed mansion hosts an antiques and fine art fair next week and a Christmas market in December.

UCR website
Wentworth Woodhouse

Images: UCR

Read more...

News: College chief exec steps down

John Connolly, the principal and chief executive of the RNN Group, has decided to take a step down from his day to day activities with immediate effect.

Deputy principal, Phil Sayles left earlier this year.

The organisation has completed two mergers in recent years and now incorporates Rotherham College, North Notts College and Dearne Valley College. Last month RNN Group opened its new the £10.5m HE campus in Rotherham town centre.

Connolly was previously the principal of North Notts College and became the first chief executive of the RNN Group in 2016. At the time, the principal and chief executive of Rotherham College, Gill Alton OBE, moved back to become chief executive of the Grimsby Institute, where she previously held the position of vice principal.

Advertisement

In a statement, the RNN Group said: "John Connolly has considered for some time whether he is the right person to take the RNN Group on to the next stage of the group's journey. After discussion with the Board and by mutual agreement, John will take a step down from his day to day activities with immediate effect.

"John will continue to work with the Board during this transitional period, which will allow the Board to identify the right individual with the skills and attributes to lead the Group forward to achieve its strategic ambition of becoming one of the UK's leading Further Education Colleges.

"The Board and members of the senior leadership team would like to publicly acknowledge and thank John for his contribution, commitment, professionalism and achievement in bringing the RNN Group together, and creating an organisation with a solid platform on which it can continue to develop and build.

"The RNN Group and its colleges remain focused on its students, their education and ensuring they receive an inspirational experience."

The group added that it had "successfully navigated a period of significant growth and change, all against a backdrop of a very difficult and challenging political and funding landscape."

Minutes from March's board meeting of the RNN Group revealed that an initial draft budget for 2018/19 indicated a loss of £1.3m. Income had declined mainly due to a reduction in 16-18 numbers, a shortfall in Apprenticeships, and lower than expected HE enrolments.

A three year plan for the group is being developed. HE and Apprenticeships had been identified as key areas for growth.

Having played a key role in Rotherham College attaining its best ever Ofsted grade in 2013, last month, Phil Sayles was announced as the new principal and chief executive of Selby College.

RNN Group website

Images: RNN Group

Read more...

News: First day of term at new University Centre Rotherham

The new £10.5m University Centre Rotherham (UCR) has opened its doors to students and adult learners for the first time today.

UCR is a brand new campus dedicated to offering degrees and professional training qualifications, providing a state-of-the-art teaching facility in the heart of Rotherham town centre.

On Doncaster Gate, UCR is operated by leading education and training provider RNN Group and is part of the Rotherham Plan 2025, a strategy set out by the Rotherham Together Partnership to improve the economic and social wellbeing of the borough. Currently only 17% of the population in Rotherham and Bassetlaw have a higher or degree-level qualification (level 4 or above), compared to the national average of 27%%

RNN Group expects to run 50 different university-level courses by 2020, adding to the 32 higher-level courses currently on offer, and has been working closely with employers to develop courses covering digital, creative, health, technical construction, engineering, and leadership and management, to meet the needs of the local economy.

The target is to attract 1,000 additional students over the first five years. Tuition fees will be under the £9,000 charged by many universities, making degrees more accessible for people in the town. Details of some of the courses available can be found here.

Advertisement

John Connolly, chief executive of the RNN Group, said: "We are delighted to welcome students to the brand new UCR campus this autumn.

"Studying at UCR means students can achieve their career aspirations without the need to live away from home or travel long distances and offers opportunities for those already in employment who want to study a degree or higher-level qualification around their work and family commitments. We're aiming to inspire students at UCR to become the business leaders and entrepreneurs of the future."

The centre, where plans for a second phase are already in hand, was built by Willmott Dixon. Rotherham Council provided the land in a cut price deal. The Sheffield City Region (SCR) Combined Authority agreed to fund infrastructure works. A grant of £3.5m was approved with the balance coming from RNN Group. Lloyds Banking Group, has both supported and partly funded the project.

Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council, said: "Having a university centre here in Rotherham will develop both education and business for future generations here in Rotherham.

"It makes sense to attract new students and local businesses in order to offer the best educational and business experiences. This centre will play a pivotal role in closing the skills gap in the town and support the local economy by increasing access to higher-level skills."

UCR website

Images: RNN Group

Read more...

News: University Centre Rotherham handed over with a degree of satisfaction

Contractors, Willmott Dixon, have handed over the keys to the new £10.5m university campus in Rotherham town centre.

The University Centre Rotherham (UCR) includes specialist teaching facilities, seminar and lecture rooms, library, café and independent and group study spaces. The RNN Group is due to open the campus on Doncaster Gate in autumn 2018.

UCR is a brand new campus dedicated to offering degrees and professional training qualifications, providing a state-of-the-art teaching facility in the heart of Rotherham. There are a wide variety of degree courses accredited by top universities and awarding bodies, including Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Hull, with plans for over 50 courses to be running at UCR by 2020.

Jana Checkley, director of higher education and skills for RNN Group (pictured, right) said: "UCR has been a fantastic journey and as an organisation we are exceptionally proud to have worked with Willmott Dixon on such a beneficial project.

"The new university centre has been built to an extremely high standard and we look forward to moving in our state-of-the-art facilities, ready for UCR to open its doors this autumn to students of all ages and career aspirations."

Advertisement

Willmott Dixon has been working closely with the Group since last September, from milestone events marking the development's rapid progress, to inviting Construction students from across all three Colleges to gain insight into working on large-scale projects.

Alan Neal, construction manager for Willmott Dixon (pictured, left), said: "As a local company based in Yorkshire with a strong track record of work in Rotherham, we are excited to be handing over the keys to this brilliant new university centre. One aspect we are proud of is how we've been able to work closely with companies in and around Rotherham, to ensure as many as possible were involved with the building work.

"University Centre Rotherham will provide important skills that will benefit the local economy for years to come and we hope it will also encourage many students to choose a career in construction."

In the planning stages, lots of thought and consideration went into determining the best way to minimise disruption to the local wildlife during the build. Wilmott Dixon are big advocates of biodiversity management by working in collaboration with The Wildlife Trusts, and are committed to systematically managing their environmental impact at each stage of the project.

Rotherham Council provided the land for the campus in a cut price deal. The Sheffield City Region (SCR) Combined Authority agreed to fund infrastructure works. A grant of £3.5m has been approved with the balance coming from RNN Group. Lloyds Banking Group, has both supported and partly funded the project.

Dan Jarvis, mayor of the Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority, said: "Access to outstanding education is crucial in ensuring everyone, regardless of their background, can fulfil their potential and realise their ambitions.

"I am delighted to see this important step for University Centre Rotherham, and very pleased that the Sheffield City Region was able to support the creation of the new centre with £3.5m of Local Growth Fund money."

Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council, added: "Having UCR here in Rotherham is part of the town’s regeneration and forms a key part of our vision and masterplan to enhance where we live.

"As a Council we are also committed to ensuring all our young people have the best start in life, and what better way can we support this than by ensuring they are able to gain the skills and education they need right here in the borough.

"This university centre will help bridge the skills gap we have which is currently holding the town back. If young people can get better qualifications they would be able to get better jobs, progress their careers and increase their income which can only be a good thing for the town."

UCR website

Images: Willmott Dixon / RNN Group

Read more...

News: Fit-out to start at University Centre Rotherham

All construction work is complete at the new £10.5m university campus in Rotherham town centre and the next stage is moving in furniture and further interior alterations.

The University Centre Rotherham (UCR) includes specialist teaching facilities, seminar and lecture rooms, library, café and independent and group study spaces. The RNN Group is due to open the campus on Doncaster Gate in autumn 2018.

An event was recently held on site to mark the building as watertight. Current students from Rotherham College and North Notts College who have previously visited the site in earlier stages, were invited to see UCR at almost completion.

Alan Neal, construction manager for Willmott Dixon and manages the UCR project. He said: "As the manager of this project I'm extremely proud to see the progress of the university centre, and a close relationship with RNN Group has only made it a smoother process.

"It's been a fantastic experience, with over 400 students from all three Colleges visiting the site and being able to work on a project that gives back to the community is something that I'm very passionate about."

Advertisement

UCR is a brand new campus dedicated to offering degrees and professional training qualifications, providing a state-of-the-art teaching facility in the heart of Rotherham. There are a wide variety of degree courses accredited by top universities and awarding bodies, including Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Hull, with plans for over 50 courses to be running at UCR by 2020.

Jana Checkley, director of Higher Education and Skills for RNN Group, said: "The progress has been rapid and exciting and the communication with Willmott Dixon has been incredible.

"We've seen a lot of interest from potential students at recruitment fairs and open events, and we look forward to welcoming them to the first dedicated degree-focused centre in Rotherham, when the doors open in September."

An open event is being held at the College's Wharncliffe restaurant tomorrow where local employers are being invited to find out what the facility has to offer for businesses.

UCR website

Images: RNN Group

Read more...

News: AMRC and the factories of the future

Engineers at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) are helping SMEs create factories of the future where humans and robots work together to boost productivity.

Collaborative robots – also known as cobots - differ from conventional industrial robots in that they feature technology that allows them to operate safely alongside human workers in a shared area. They are capable of operating with limited force and speed and are equipped with force-sensing to enable them to stop when they come into contact with an operator.

Traditionally, the safe use of robots in manufacturing has relied on barriers, cages and fences that keep humans and robots separated. The downside to this is that it uses lots of floor space and limits the work robots and humans can do together.

The Integrated Manufacturing Group at the AMRC's Factory 2050 on the Sheffield Business Park has been developing technology demonstrators and testing a new safety standard awaiting ratification for different types of cobots.

Advertisement

Supported by the Government's Catapult programme, the project began in May last year and completed in March this year. A cell was created at Factory 2050 which demonstrated to SMEs how they can integrate the technology onto their factory floors and transform production lines by increasing the rate at which a process is done, as well as the uniformity and quality of finish on a product.

Phil Kitchen, lead for the Collaborative Robotics research project, said: "What we want to do is to start to develop a gold standard for integration. To get this gold standard, for us, it would mean we could help SMEs to integrate cobots on to their shop floor.

"There are a number of benefits of collaborative robotics for SMEs – improved quality, improved rate, so the rate at which they are making their products - and if they improve rate they can potentially sell more and expand, helping them to grow through the use of collaborative robotics.

"A technical specification was released which detailed how you would go about integrating a collaborative robotic system. It's not yet been ratified as a full ISO standard to use and that is being worked towards now. Essentially what we are aiming to do is put ourselves in the right position to act when the technical specification is ratified by the HSE."

Advertisement

Phil said cobots come into their own when a process will always require a degree of human intervention – such as tasks requiring dexterous, manual manipulation or human decision making. Cobots are also typically lighter and more flexible than bulkier traditional robots, and are able to be moved around the factory floor.

He said: "Cobots can be used as a flexible resource and they differ from standard industrial robots as they have some element of safety built in. So for example, with the KUKA iiwa - that has force and torque sensors in each of its joints so if it touches you it can sense an external force being imparted on to it and will stop itself.

"Whereas with a regular robot, if you get in with it, it could cause serious injury. That's the main difference really, a collaborative robot has some sort of inbuilt technology to allow for safe human-robot interactions."

One demonstration involved a Tier 1 member of The AMRC process whose production line involved fastening components and apply adhesive to them. Using robots removed the need for operators having to use manual adhesive guns.

AMRC website

Images: AMRC

Read more...

News: AMRC signs MOU with GKN

The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing is to work with GKN Aerospace on developing advanced technologies for the aerospace industry.

With multimillion pound facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the AMRC is a world leading model partnership between industry and academia that focuses on advanced machining and materials research for aerospace and other high-value manufacturing sectors.

Worcestershire-based GKN Aerospace is a leader in the manufacture of highly complex composite and metallic aerostructures and engine products. It is a Tier 1 member at the AMRC and is one of the world's largest independent first tier suppliers to the global aviation industry.

An Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed to progress a series of research themes being developed together at the AMRC's state-of-the-art Factory 2050, the dedicated collaborative research factory home to the Integrated Manufacturing Group on Sheffield Business Park.

Advertisement

Previous projects involving the AMRC and GKN include work to protect and exploit the UK's collective strengths in aerospace wing manufacture and work to examine automated and robotic techniques to assemble aerospace structures 30% faster than previously possible.

GKN has also worked with the University of Sheffield and other partners on producing airworthy components using a novel additive manufacturing (3D printing) process. It is also an industrial partner in MAPP, the EPSRC Future Manufacturing Hub at the University which focuses on Manufacture using Advanced Powder Processes.

Colin Sirett, chief executive officer at the AMRC (pictured, second right), said: "The purpose of signing the MoU is to recognise the strategic role the AMRC is playing and to drive forward the significant amount of work and technological development we are embarking on with GKN Aerospace.

"What we will be looking at in a package of work with them is future manufacturing systems and digital linkage of those systems with the customer and the development of metallic machining technology.

"The AMRC will also have a core role in developing the Wing of Tomorrow technology with GKN Aerospace. This technology will be large scale assembly, metal materials machining and opportunities for castings.

"The plus point of the MoU for us is it enables us to operate very closely and effectively with companies that view the AMRC as one of their strategic partners."

Advertisement

As part of the agreement, Robert Sharman, the global head of additive manufacturing at GKN Aerospace, will work with the AMRC's additive manufacturing research team as an associate professor.

Paul Perera, VP global technology at GKN Aerospace (pictured, second left), said: "The Memorandum of Understanding has been created between us to progress a number of joint themes which we have incubated here together.

"These are the application of digital manufacturing, the application of large scale additive manufacturing, and we have also been looking at large scale automation with the "Wing of Tomorrow" project.

"It is a good partnership with true benefits on both sides. We really want to maintain the momentum on this agreement."

AMRC website
GKN website

Images: AMRC / GKN

Read more...

News: On course at University Centre Rotherham

As building work continues on the new £10.5m university campus in Rotherham town centre, details have been released showing the types of higher level education courses that the first cohort of students will take.

The University Centre Rotherham (UCR) includes specialist teaching facilities, seminar and lecture rooms, library, café and independent and group study spaces. The RNN Group is due to open the campus on Doncaster Gate in autumn 2018.

There are a wide variety of degree courses accredited by top universities and awarding bodies, including Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Hull, with plans for over 50 courses to be running at UCR by 2020.

And they are cheaper too, backed by student loans and maintenance loans, tuition fees are considerably less than others with undergraduate courses ranging from £3,000 to £7,000 per year.

Bachelor degrees, foundation degrees, HNCs and HNDs, PGCEs and higher and degree apprenticeships are being offered by the institution.

Accounting, business and management courses are set to include guest lectures delivered by industry-based speakers, enterprise challenges and visits to related organisations. Example arts courses include studying for degrees in graphic communication design, fashion and fine and applied art.

A new foundation degree course focuses on games development and new degree courses are in development in media studies and theatrical fashion and media hair and make-up.

The RNN Group's engineering focus continues into the new campus, as does the focus on the care sector and hair and beauty.

Advertisement

Jana Checkley, director of higher education and skills for RNN Group, said: "The University Centre Rotherham is an amazing opportunity for the community. We are building a university specific centre that is going to house over a thousand students over the next five years.

"The UCR is a place were students are able to focus on developing their skills for a career in music, graphics, computing, engineering and many other fantastic opportunities that are going to help enrich the community of Rotherham.

"We are going to be working with local employers to help build a more diverse curriculum that is going to have over 50 different subjects by 2020."

Dan Jarvis, candidate in the upcoming Sheffield city region mayoral election, recently toured the building site for the new campus with the leader of Rotherham Council, Cllr. Chris Read.

Mr Jarvis met on site with the deputy principal of the RNN Group, Philip Sayles and construction manager from contractors, Willmott Dixon, Alan Neal, to take a tour of the latest developments, as well as learn more about course offerings.

Rotherham Council provided the land for the campus in a cut price deal. The Sheffield City Region (SCR) Combined Authority agreed to fund infrastructure works. A grant of £3.5m has been approved with the balance coming from RNN Group.

Dan Jarvis said: "The UCR site in the centre of Rotherham points to great opportunities and it is fantastic to see it taking shape. It shows how by working together, we can create jobs and secure the investment that we need to bridge the skills gap and offer local people the skills they need to succeed in future employment."

Cllr. Chris Read added: "When I was last here it was for the ground-breaking ceremony and the build was still in its early stages, with nothing much to see – today's visit shows how far the build has come along and I can't wait for local people to come and see UCR for themselves this September.

"UCR is not only the first key piece of the jigsaw for our regeneration of the town centre, it is also a critical investment to ensure that Rotherham people have access to the skills that they need in the future. We still have too few people with higher level qualifications, and for too long it has been difficult to study locally – over the coming years that is going to change."

UCR website

Images: RNN Group / Dan Jarvis

Read more...

News: Brickwork students on site at UCR

Brickwork students from Rotherham College were invited to the University Centre Rotherham (UCR) site by contractor Willmott Dixon for a site tour to showcase the latest developments of the build, but also for a demonstration of the bricklaying process for a large project.

In the autumn of this year, the RNN Group will open the 35,500 sq ft campus building on Doncaster Gate to offer state-of-the-art facilities and a wide variety of degree courses.

The aim of the visit was not only to show students what a typical day looks like on a building site, but also to offer students the opportunity to spot any potential hazards and demonstrate the quality of work expected to reduce building waste.

Advertisement

The brickwork students were firstly taken into the on-site meeting room for an introduction by building manager Chris James, before they were shown development plans and a time-lapse video of the progress so far.

Alan Neal, construction manager at Willmott Dixon, said: "The role of a bricklayer is to manage the quality of their work, be compliant with specifications and spot any potential problems. If they feel a particular part of the build isn't working, it is their job to observe, take evidence and report. This kind of attitude will make the project safer not only for them but for everyone else on-site."

Students were also introduced to the bricklaying supervisor, who explained the bricklaying process and the type of brick being used on the building exterior.

After the site tour students were invited to ask any questions on career paths and apprenticeships, as well as to voice any observations they made on the health and safety aspects of the build. These observations will then be fed back to the operations manager, who will ensure any hazards are inspected and made safe.

RCAT website

Images: RCAT

Read more...

News: Invest in people as part of industrial strategy

Professor Sir Keith Burnett, vice-chancellor and president at The University of Sheffield has used a column in a national publication to highlight that the investment made locally in developing the next generation of engineers is just as important as investing in land or equipment.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the University's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) is a world-class centre for advanced machining and materials research for aerospace and other high-value sectors.

In a comment piece for Times Higher Education, Burnett discusses the AMRC Training Centre where 600 apprentices are making use of the state of the art facilities in Rotherham.

Sir Keith, who trained as an experimental physicist at Oxford, talked about the Government setting out a new industrial strategy and the national shortage of apprentices and engineers. He discussed how too often the two are separated as those who sit behind a desk and those that get their hands dirty - but not at The AMRC where they are one and the same.

Advertisement

He told the magazine: "As well as our graduate engineers we needed more technicians for the very latest kit and so we trained some of our own specialist apprentices. These apprentices were privileged. They were soaking up the processes that would be needed in the future of manufacturing and so we found we were training just the sort of people that our industry partners also wanted. They asked us not just for research but for some of these wonderful people. In fact, they would pay us to train the youngsters they would employ.

"It was a new route for us or for any university like ours, but our home is in a place once known globally for the quality of its skilled trades, so we decided to train a much larger cohort. We set about building a training centre with the Government support and a new chapter opened.

"One of the most important things in education at any level is that a trainee should be able to progress from the more straightforward to the more complex throughout their course. Students are be able to start with the things we can first teach in the laboratory and workshop and progress to making computer models of the manufacturing processes they are working on, all the time building with it the conceptual understanding of what they are learning and why it matters: hand (literal or mechanical) and mind united.

"And now we have nearly six hundred apprentices who are doing just that."

Advertisement

Since taking on its first 140 apprentices in autumn 2013, the £20.5m Training Centre has grown rapidly into an award-winning centre of excellence. Apprentices have opportunities to progress on to postgraduate courses, doctorates and MBA levels. Sponsoring companies range from global leaders such as Rolls-Royce and Tata Steel to local high-tech supply-chain companies.

Burnett added: "The initial response to our work speaks volumes for British culture. Instead of applause I was first asked, why is a University like Sheffield getting involved with this low-level stuff?

"But people then saw us take student apprentices from the estates of Sheffield and Rotherham and train them in the finest manufacturing centre in the world. They saw the enthusiastic response of local firms to these young people who could transform their productivity. The director of global manufacturing at Rolls-Royce described these wholly educated young people as "a new kind of engineer." People changed their minds and became our supporters."

AMRC Training Centre website

Images: AMRC

Read more...

News: Greening thanks Rotherham teachers

Justine Greening MP has used her first conference speech as Secretary of State for Education to thank her teachers in Rotherham for opening up opportunities for her.

A reshuffle under new Prime Minister, Theresa May, saw the government department for skills moved over from business to education so that Greening's department now covers everything from early years, schools and further and higher education, to adult skills and apprenticeships.

Speaking at the Conservative Party Conference at The ICC in Birmingham this week, the Rotherham-born minister, who attended Oakwood Comprehensive School, spoke about her party's desire to "give people control over the things that matter most in their lives."

Greening said: "All parents have their hopes and dreams for their children, but in practice, for most, they can never really take their eye off the economic realities of everyday life. And what's it like for the children in those families? Well, I was one of them, and when I think back to my own childhood, growing up in Rotherham in the eighties: All I wanted was a level playing field. I didn't expect any more - but I didn't think I should expect any less either. And neither did my parents. And nowhere was that more important to me than in my education.

"I loved going to school. Herringthorpe Primary, Oakwood Comprehensive, Thomas Rotherham College. As the first comprehensive school educated secretary of state for education, I want to say thank you to the teachers in all those schools that opened up so many opportunities for me. We all remember great teachers, and no other profession has the power to transform futures so much.

"My job - our job now - is to make sure that today's children, whatever their background, get the best start. And to me, that means three things: knowledge and skills; the right advice at the right time; and great, challenging, life shaping experiences.

"These are the building blocks to help young people be successful in their years ahead."

Advertisement

Greening, who is also Minister for Women and Equality, added that she is determined to "put the quality of technical education on a par with the quality of our academic education," transforming the technical skills route with University Technical Colleges (UTCs) and three million more apprentices, at the same time as transforming the academic route through free schools, academies and grammar schools.

As part of a focus on social mobility and finding and nurturing "rough diamonds", the department is establishing Opportunity Areas where local partnerships will form with early years providers, schools, colleges, universities, businesses, charities and local authorities to ensure all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

The MP for Putney, Roehampton and Southfields talked about the role of business, adding: "Business has a vital role because British business is the ultimate opportunity giver. I want to see businesses spotting and polishing up the talent of a new generation, the rough diamonds, to make sure we unlock all the talent of our country, especially in these Opportunity Areas where it's most likely to be missed.

"Business has such a great role to play, setting young people's sights high and broadening horizons. It's hard to aim for an opportunity if you don't even know it's there."

Images: CBI

Read more...

News: Catapults "essential to the UK's industrial future"

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, Professor Sir Keith Burnett says Catapult centres can help drive economic growth and boost the UK's nuclear industry.

In 2010 the UK invested £200m in a network of Catapult Centres designed to close the gap between universities and industry, creating infrastructures which would rapidly translate research into productivity.

The most advanced of these centres across the UK focus on High-Value Manufacturing and include the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing and Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC), both of which are on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

Professor Sir Keith Burnett, said: "UK manufacturing has a tremendous opportunity to be a global force in delivering the products which will be so important to sustainable civil nuclear energy.

"The University of Sheffield is already working closely with nuclear site developers, site operators, and companies across the UK to help them seize existing opportunities and be ready for the potential of technologies such as small modular reactors.

"However, we must not be complacent. Collaborative centres such as the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, part of the government-backed high-value manufacturing Catapult, are fundamental in making the difference in the UK, winning vital orders.

"This is a crucial time for the nuclear industry in the UK – with the right support we could be global players, securing skills and economic growth as we work with partners to sell excellent products to the world.

"Or we could miss an opportunity to benefit from an industry that will surely grow dramatically over the coming decades. This is why our university is so committed to partnership with industry and government to ensure the UK plc benefits in an area of potential national strength."

In 2010 Hermaann Hauser highlighted the AMRC's business model as a leading example of how research centres can make a long-term impact to the economy in his first report for the government. Four years later his second report set out recommendations to ministers on the future scope, shape and ambition of this Catapult network.

The HVM Catapult works with manufacturing companies of all sizes to stimulate and support the commercial application of new technologies through the development of innovative manufacturing processes.

In the recent spending review, the chancellor said that "spending on our new catapult centres will increase." George Osborne also announced new funding to develop small modular reactors in the UK. The Nuclear AMRC is working with the principal technology vendors in support of their drive for a UK small modular reactor.

Nuclear AMRC website

Images: Nuclear AMRC

Read more...

News: AMRC hosts National Summit on Apprentices

Business secretary Vince Cable has called for a new model of high level, high status technical education which combines academic and applied knowledge, during a visit to the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing in Rotherham.

Speaking at a National Summit on Apprentices at the AMRC Knowledge Transfer Centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP), Cable described the need for a range of elite apprenticeships, with progression up to degree level and beyond, supported by a new generation of National Colleges focusing on higher level technical training.

He said: "We need to end the stereotype that apprenticeships are for those who do not get to university. Increasingly apprenticeships are not just a valid alternative to going to university, but can actually include degrees.

"Degree level apprenticeships give businesses the opportunity to develop training and education programmes specifically designed to equip learners with the skills their business needs – combining theoretical education and technical training.

"National Colleges will provide high level technical skills to those industries or sectors with identified skills gaps, bringing further and higher education together with business and innovation. The University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre is a prime example of the type of provision we intend to encourage through National Colleges."

Last year saw the £20.5m AMRC Training centre open on the Waverley site, where the focus is on 250 students aged from 16 upwards, taken on paid apprenticeships with opportunities to progress on to postgraduate courses. Sponsoring companies range from global leaders such as Rolls-Royce and Tata Steel to local high-tech supply-chain companies.

The National Summit on Apprentices brought together partners from industry, universities and skills policy, as well as representatives of the 150 advanced apprentices currently working with the AMRC Training Centre.

The event was held in association with the Department of Business Innovation and Skills and the Global Manufacturing Festival, and also included speakers from industrial partners such as Rolls-Royce.

Professor Sir Keith Burnett, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Sheffield, said: "We are delighted to host this important national summit on the future of technical education and apprenticeships in the UK. The University of Sheffield is a leading UK university undertaking world-class research and working with companies like Rolls-Royce and Boeing, committed to the needs of companies and young people.

"By focusing on a new approach to higher vocational education apprenticeships and education, we are opening up new forms of higher education inseparable from our world-leading research partnerships with industry – but we are also helping to create sustainable jobs, growth and access to a university education which does not involve debt for those students.

"Through our work at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, I believe we are redefining how UK universities with a world-class reputation for research and teaching can engage with very highest-quality technical education. We believe this is essential not only for young people looking for a high-quality technical education, it is crucial to the future of manufacturing in the UK."

AMRC Training Centre website

Images: University of Sheffield

Read more...

News: Spinning a hi-tech yarn at the AMRC

Research engineers at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing are continuing to be at the forefront of composite materials and their potential use in the automotive industry.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the AMRC has a £4.5m state-of-the-art centre supporting the development of advanced composite materials inside the Factory of the Future. The centre works with complex hybrid components and systems, which require manufacturing expertise in both composite and metallic structures.

The AMRC is working with Huddersfield textile firm, Antich & Sons Ltd, on a new project that aims to develop the tools and capabilities both for predicting the behaviour of 3D woven textile composites and for the manufacturing methods for producing components.

Antich & Sons Ltd manufacture the finest British worsted cloth for famous worldwide fashion brands, with over 40 weaving machines running 120 hours a week. On top of their expertise in weaving textiles for the fashion industry, over the last five years they have also developed capability for weaving technical fibres such as carbon, glass, kevlar and alumina for use in composite materials. This includes the development of a state of the art jacquard based 3D weaving machine for making net shape 3D composite preforms, as well as working with Jaguar Land Rover to develop aluminium matrix composites for use in their road cars.

The firm is a partner with Basingstoke-based Composite Metal Technology Ltd, in a government-backed £7m project that will increase the production of innovative composites which combine the strength and stiffness of steel with the weight of aluminium.

The AMRC is helping to bridge the gap between academia and industry and a KTP associate in Textile Composite Engineering is being recruited to work in Huddersfield and at the AMRC to help validate the cutting edge manufacturing methods.

The job description states: "Due to a certain level of immaturity in development and validation of these techniques, the uptake of complex preform composites has been somewhat restricted in industry. By improving and validating methods, confidence in these materials can then match their potential. This will open new markets and reduce the time to market for Antich & Sons and allow them to secure a future in technical weaving alongside their traditional weaving activities."

Previous work on composites at the AMRC include researching the potential use of biocomposites, such as hemp and cashew nut resin, to make bodywork panels for cars and the carbon fibre reinforced plastic and other composites used to make aircraft components significantly lighter.

Antich & Sons Ltd website
AMRC website

Images: Antich & Sons

Read more...

News: Recruitment begins for Medical AMRC

Work is continuing to replicate the model for the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing in the healthcare technology sector.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the AMRC is a world class centre for advanced machining and materials research for aerospace and other high-value manufacturing sectors.

The university secured funding earlier this year to develop the model into new areas – healthcare technologies and the creative and digital sectors. This is intended to stimulate growth in the Sheffield City Region, which has one of the UK's highest concentrations of medical device companies.

Based in the newly operational Design, Prototyping & Testing Centre on the AMP, the Medical AMRC will ensure the results of internationally significant research are developed into products and brought to market quickly and cost effectively.

The new centre will sit alongside the current AMRC and will be able to access all the current resources but with a dedicated team which will specifically focus on the medical technologies sector.

Recruitment is underway for design engineers to join the new Medical AMRC team, who will be responsible for generating innovative, practical solutions to a range of engineering design problems.

The AMRC is a multimillion pound partnership between industry and academia that has become a model for collaborative research centres worldwide and now boasts 75 partners, including Boeing and Rolls Royce.

The AMRC secures funding from a range of organisations; through winning competitive calls for research from the Technology Strategy Board and Research Councils; research projects commissioned by business; and through Tier 1 and Tier 2 sponsors.

Funding to expand is coming from the Higher Education Funding Council For England's (HEFCE's) £50m Catalyst Fund.

Just as the AMRC has been the catalyst for attracting aerospace and nuclear manufacturing companies to the AMP, it is anticipated that the Medical AMRC will be the catalyst for the establishment of new medical technology companies. Representatives from the Sheffield City Region's inward investment have been getting this message across at MEDICA 2013, the world's largest medical trade fair, held recently in Germany.

AMRC website

Images: AMRC

Read more...

News: University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Institute

The University of Sheffield has announced the creation of an Advanced Manufacturing Institute (AMI), in response to the continued success around the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre with Boeing (AMRC) in Rotherham.

Embracing the AMRC, Nuclear AMRC, Composite Centre and Knowledge Transfer Centres, all based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park, the AMI is a self standing centre for research, knowledge exchange and location for teaching and learning within the academic structure of the University.

The AMRC is a £100m partnership that has successfully bridged the gap between academia, industry and government.

With more than 40 partner organisations, comprising world leaders in the aerospace supply chain, key government offices and international academic institutions, The AMRC identifies, researches and solves advanced manufacturing problems. It already employs around 160 researchers, engineers and support staff.

The centre continues to develop and has secured significant investment. Building work has begun on a Knowledge Transfer Centre (KTC) and construction of the new Composite Centre, an extension to the existing Factory of the Future building, will begin soon. The £25m Nuclear AMRC on the site is also nearing completion.

The AMRC and the Nuclear AMRC are part of the consortium running The High Value Manufacturing Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC) which will help to equip UK industry with the ability to capitalise on the future global market opportunities by drawing on leading edge research.

The AMI will be structured, uniquely for the University, around a Board, comprising senior internal officers of the University and some external appointees, who will be able to support the internal AMI team.

Professor Keith Ridgway OBE is named as Executive Dean and Director of the AMI. Professor Ridgway joined the University of Sheffield as a lecturer in 1988 and became Professor of Design and Manufacture in 1997. In 2001, working with local businessman Adrian Allen, he launched the AMRC. The AMRC has continued to go from strength to strength since its creation and in 2005 Professor Ridgway was awarded the OBE. In 2006 he became a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

A small number of additional senior appointments to the AMI will be made in the coming months, in order to further support and strengthen the strategic decision-making and operational platform of the AMI.

AMRC website

Images: amrc.co.uk

Read more...