Newcastle College’s engineering department has installed new industry standard machinery in its workshops, after the college revealed its intention to invest £2,000,000 into leading edge teaching facilities.

The brand-new CNC Lathe produces turned components, with students developing the skills needed to produce parts and programme the machine, exactly as they would if they were working in an industrial workshop.

Bruno Machado, Curriculum Lead in HE Engineering explained the importance of Newcastle College investing in leading edge teaching facilities such as this, saying: “The industry moves so quickly that we have to update our machinery to ensure we are giving our students the opportunity to work on equipment that they will be using when they start their careers. All students from level 3up to degree level will be able to use this in their projects.”

The investment is part of Newcastle College, a college of NCG, commitment to developing talent for the region’s engineering, green and digital workforce.  The CNC Lathe is the first piece of equipment from the project to be installed with all new facilities ready for September 2022.

Joseph Cuskin, a level 6 Engineering student, was pleased to learn that the University Centre is investing in the latest industry-approved equipment, commenting: “The transition between college and work will be really easy because I’ve had the chance to use machines that will be in factories and areas I’d like to be working in the future.”

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Jon Ridley, Deputy Principal (Higher Education) at NCG, added:

“Newcastle College University Centre graduates are the workforce of the future, with the confidence and capability to thrive in whichever career they choose. A skilled, capable, confident pipeline of talent is good news for the region and its economy.”

“We are committed to providing students with life-changing opportunities in higher technical education, providing access to train and study in sector leading facilities and this new engineering facility is just the first step in significant investment into our STEM facilities this year.”

Explore engineering degrees at Newcastle College University Centre.