The UK’s first ‘Faculty on the Factory Floor’ celebrated its second graduation recently, when 29 students received their BEng and MEng qualifications.
A collaboration between Coventry University and Unipart Manufacturing, the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME) (
www.ame.co.uk) saw its students graduate in style, with many of the ‘industry-ready’ engineers going into high-profile jobs at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), Wipac Ltd, Precision Castparts Corp and Unipart.
It marks a successful four years in operation for the ground-breaking initiative, which was designed specifically to give young people the opportunity to learn on real-world manufacturing projects.
Over 100 students are currently working their way through the hands-on course at AME, aided by a specially compiled textbook.
Carl Perrin, AME director, said: “When we launched, people called it an ambitious vision, but with another cohort graduating, we can now say that the vision has become reality.
“Our graduates are working on the latest vehicle electrification technology or project-managing exciting contracts in the automotive and aerospace sectors.
“We’ve also had our first six students achieve their Masters.
“It is important that the content we are delivering reflects what manufacturers want from their future employees, so we are continually adapting the courses.
“One example is giving the students more ‘design and make’ time, with CNC machining and a number of initiatives that see them experience international supply chains and complete design projects with universities in Brazil, Germany and the USA.”
The Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (
www.unipartmanufacturing.co.uk/ame) is located on the Unipart Manufacturing site in Coventry, in a 1,700m
2 purpose-built hub.
In addition to creating industry-ready graduates, it has a team of technology specialists and professors working to develop new powertrain and energy transfer solutions for the automotive, aerospace and renewable-energy sectors.