Eastern Education Group opens Gene Haas Centre for Advanced Manufacturing

Eastern Education Group has officially opened its new Gene Haas Centre for Advanced Manufacturing at the University & Professional Development Centre in Bury St Edmunds, marking a significant investment in engineering and manufacturing skills across the region.

The new centre has been made possible through the generous support of the Gene Haas Foundation, alongside funding from West Suffolk Council for new specialist machinery. It is the first Gene Haas Centre of its kind in the East of England and only the third in the UK.

The official opening took place during National Apprenticeship Week and was led by Kathy Looman, Executive Director of the Gene Haas Foundation, who travelled from the United States for the event. She was joined by Lady Clare Euston, Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk.

The centre features state-of-the-art facilities, including CNC equipment, simulators and computer-operated machinery. These resources will support the training of thousands of students and apprentices at all levels, while also providing opportunities for adults retraining and employers seeking to develop a skilled local workforce.

Building on a long-established track record in engineering and advanced manufacturing education, Eastern Education Group aims to use the new centre to further strengthen partnerships with regional employers. The Gene Haas Centre will train hundreds of learners each year and play a key role in addressing critical skills shortages within the manufacturing and engineering sectors.