Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology (MCMT) (www.mcmt.co.uk) in Bridgnorth is holding a Summer Event tomorrow (30 June, 1-6 pm), and the first 68 apprenticeship places will be on offer to visitors.

Young people, parents and businesses are being encouraged to attend this ‘showcase’, which will mark 60 days before the official opening of the £3 million ‘state of the art’ facility.

Led by employers Grainger & Worrall, Classic Motor Cars, Salop Design & Engineering and training specialist In-Comm, the centre will provide access to over 65,000ft2 of engineering and manufacturing space, equipped with technology to ensure that apprentices are industry-ready when they leave.

The event will give visitors an exclusive opportunity to check on the development of the MCMT, along with a virtual tour of the different technology zones and the chance to meet key members of the team.

There will also be the chance for young people to sign up to be part of the first cohort of apprentices on courses ranging from maintenance engineering, business improvement and welding to automotive, electrical, engineering design and mechanical engineering.

The MCMT has received £1.9 million of Government Growth Deal funding (via the Marches LEP), with £1.1 million of private funding also pledged.

It will provide a high-tech environment for individuals to learn from engineering experts on the latest technology — all geared towards giving them opportunities to apply their new-found skills to real-life manufacturing situations.

The centre will house dedicated fabrication, foundry, lathe, metrology, milling, robotics and vehicle trimming sections, plus a specialist CNC zone, spray booth/mixing capabilities, a lecture theatre, bespoke learning environments, five vehicle ramps and a rolling-road test facility.