City of Wolverhampton College invests in engineers of the future

Educating the next generation of engineers, specifically machinists, is paramount to the continued success of UK plc. The City of Wolverhampton College has therefore made a major investment in a range of machinery from XYZ Machine Tools, ensuring local businesses can access a pool of young talent to help grow and develop engineering facilities in the UK’s industrial heartland.

Having first purchased machines from XYZ back in 2015, the demand for educating students and apprentices has boomed. Indeed, City of Wolverhampton College has constructed a new £8.1 million centre at its Wellington Road Campus in Bilston as part of the City of Wolverhampton Council’s transformational ‘City Learning Quarter’ masterplan.

The Advanced Technology and Automotive Centre, which opened in September 2024, houses the existing machines and another wave of major investment in XYZ manual mills, manual lathes and CNC bed mills fitted with ProtoTRAK RMX touchscreen controls, along with a vertical machining centre and CNC lathe featuring Siemens Sinumerik CNC controllers.

Jim Wilkins, Curriculum Manager for Engineering at the college, explains why there is such a diverse range of machines on site. “We think it’s important that these young people, who range from Level 1 students up to HND level, understand the basics of machining. This starts with being able to create and understand a drawing. It continues through to gaining knowledge in basic machining principles with the setting up of a machine and learning how to manufacture parts, which is why we have a number of manual machines.”

He adds: “To assist in the development of students as they continue their journey towards full time employment, they need exposure to the additional functions of CNC mills and lathes. Student can subsequently learn about production engineering and the efficiency gains that come from using machines fitted with automatic tool changers, for example.”

Funding for the machines came from the local council and the West Midlands Combined Authority.

The workshop is now up and running, with college engaging local businesses to work together in providing young people with a future in engineering. There are currently 140 students enrolled on engineering courses, as well as over 40 engineering apprentices from local and national companies training at the centre, gaining the skills and knowledge needed for a career in industry.

Jim continues: “Over several years, the purchase of XYZ machines has proven the right choice for the college. This is due to their build quality and the service and support we receive from XYZ. Also, having a dedicated point of contact in John Aspinall, Educational Sales Manager, means we get fantastic advice and support. This helps the college to achieve its goals of preparing people for employment by equipping them with the required skills, and ensuring local engineering companies are kept supplied with young talent that allows local businesses to stay productive and competitive.”