A new Engineering Training Centre will open it's doors in Sheffield next week providing 250 places to ensure young engineers have a state of the art training environment in which to learn.

Sheffield Engineering Centre, on Brightside Lane in Attercliffe, will teach engineers training courses in Engineering and Manufacturing and Product Design.

Sheffield City Council employ tutors drawn from industry to provide specialised training on site. Manufacturers, such as Boeing, get involved in setting projects for the students. A recent project has involved students in designing new seats for Boeing aircrafts.

Jonathan Faulkner aged 14 from Bradfield, is a student studying the Engineering Diploma, he said: "I started the Diploma in September 2008 and I'm so glad I chose this course. I like the design aspect, particularly the sketching of ideas. On a recent project I've been designing aircraft seats for Boeing by looking at how we can improve existing seating designs. I started by sketching ideas, then used Computer Aided Design software and ergonomics before starting to produce an actual model of the seat.


"To actually think that my designs might end up in a Boeing aircraft is amazing. Sheffield is really lucky to be able to offer this course to young people who are interested in engineering. I'm hoping to go on and study the Advanced Diploma in Engineering after this."

Cllr Andrew Sangar, Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Lifelong Learning said: "I am very honoured to be a part of this exciting opening event. Engineering in Sheffield today is very different to the traditional heavy engineering and manufacturing image of 30 years ago. Many of the old factories in the industrial east end have gone and in their place are dynamic new companies with a focus on hi-tech and high value products.

"We are still famous for producing metal, but we are also now the home of the highest density of medical engineering companies in Europe and a place that manufactures components found in 70 percent of aircraft in the world.

"The investment into this new training centre demonstrates our commitment to supporting an important area of the local economy. The centre is unique in the UK and we expect 125 students to successfully graduate every year. We want to provide the right training courses and support which will allow our young people to flourish. Investing in young people today is one of our highest priorities. Our young people have an important part to play in leading the way in the field of Engineering."

(CD/JM)