Advanced Technologies Centre has grand official opening

Tameside College officially opened its Advanced Technologies Centre on Friday 19th May with Brian Holliday, Managing Director of Siemens Digital Factory performing the official opening duties as guest of honour.

The Advanced Technologies Centre is key to the college’s plan to develop apprenticeships and higher education in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and completes the first phase of the ‘Vision Tameside’ redevelopment project. With two thirds of advanced manufacturing employers concentrated in south and east Manchester, the new centre will support increased demand for higher level skills in the engineering sector and the additional 170,000 people needed to contribute an extra £27 billion to the UK economy every year from 2022.

Brian Holliday, guest of honour at the official opening, said: “I was honoured to perform the official opening duties at the opening of the fantastic new technologies centre. There’s no question that we face a skills shortage in the future with engineering companies like mine, we need a pipeline of young talented people coming into the industry to help address the skills shortages. Tameside College is at the forefront of education, providing cutting edge learning facilities to support the growth of advanced engineering and technology in Tameside. This will make a big impact in the local area as well as Greater Manchester. I’m so pleased to be part of such a momentous occasion for the college.”

Industry experts, councillors, dignitaries and special guests joined in celebration at the college for a welcome lunch with speeches from Brian Holliday, Jackie Moores, Tameside College Principal and Andrew Beel, World Skills Ambassador. Tom Cassell, a former computing student and YouTube star who has amassed over 10 million subscribers on his gaming channel, TheSyndicateProject and is currently working with some of the world’s top gaming brands including Microsoft also joined the celebrations.

After the formal presentations, guests enjoyed a tour of the Advanced Technologies Centre whilst 70 local secondary school pupils took part in engineering related activities, including: Greenpower electric cars demonstrations, robotics demonstrations, 3D modelling, youth hack and code club, games development, hydraulic demonstrations, CNC machining and virtual welding.

Jackie Moores, Principal at Tameside College, said: “The Advanced Technologies Centre will benefit students, staff and employers by providing a modern learning environment that inspires the next generation of engineers. As the demand for advanced skills in science, technology, engineering and maths continues to grow, Tameside College will be at the forefront to develop talent for the sector. We’d like to thank everyone for coming to celebrate with us on this momentous occasion and to Brian for joining us as our special guest. He is a real STEM champion in the industry and the perfect person to open a new educational facility for engineers of the future.”

For more information on the courses offered at the Advanced Technologies Centre please call Tameside College on: 0161 908 6789 or click here.