MP joins local engineers Themis launch

The newly appointed apprenticeship ambassador to business, Gordon Birtwistle MP, joined more than 40 local engineering employers at the launch of the Themis Centre of Engineering Excellence.

The centre, housed within Burnley College’s campus on Princess Way, has been significantly expanded within the last four years. Themis worked closely with employers from a variety of engineering specialisms across Lancashire and Yorkshire to build facilities and offer programmes that continue to meet the skills and employability needs of the engineering sector within the short and long term.

During the event, employers were invited to tour the facilities, including industry standard workshops and equipment, before enjoying breakfast and having the chance to meet the Themis specialist trainers and network with other engineering employers.

The employers, including Aircelle, Fort Vale, Futaba Tenneco and WEC, also had the opportunity to hear from the Themis engineering apprentices whilst they demonstrated the Centre’s specialist equipment in action.

Hugh Bramwell, chief executive of Themis says: “The potential skills gap within the UK engineering industry is being addressed by industry and government alike and its predicted that over 656,000 engineering professionals will be required by 2020 – a significant number. “By developing the Centre of Engineering Excellence, we aim to support the potential skills gap within the local engineering sector and provide realistic business solutions that will help employers achieve their business objectives, and thus, contribute towards local economic growth.”