The first apprentices have joined the University of Wolverhampton’s Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills (ECMS) — an employer-led training facility for the Black Country, designed to enhance productivity in the region’s high-value manufacturing sector (www.theecms.co.uk).

The project is a collaboration between the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Dudley College, Cast Metals Federation, Confederation of British Metalforming and the Institute of Cast Metals Engineers.

The ECMS hub will be based at the university’s Springfield Campus; it will deliver skills training through short courses and apprenticeships at three ‘spoke’ locations — in Tipton, West Bromwich and Dudley.

Apprentices recruited from various companies are currently studying machinist and pattern-making pathways at the ECMS spoke at Dudley College.

Ian Oakes, deputy vice-chancellor at the University of Wolverhampton, said: “We’re delighted to welcome the first of our new apprentices and to get a glimpse of the new building at Dudley College, where some of our learners will be undertaking their exciting apprenticeship journey”’

“Building on the region’s renowned industrial heritage, the ECMS hub and spokes will drive economic growth in the Black Country by providing specialist training to up-skill the current and future workforce, helping to close skills gaps identified by employers.”