An official ceremony yesterday marked the beginning of construction work to expand Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS) and introduce new apprenticeship programmes in cyber security, energy storage, robotics, space, and data science.
The Fusion Foundations Programme provided the $13 million needed to expand the teaching centre at the Culham Science Center of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA).
This government programme aims to improve the UK’s infrastructure, facilities, and workforce in order to facilitate the delivery of fusion, which has the potential to produce sustainable energy for future generations.
OAS apprentices, who represent a total of about 175 current learners working by manufacturing firms across industries such as motorsport, pharmaceuticals, maritime, and fusion, attended the groundbreaking event.
Representatives from the UKAEA, the training company MTC Training, and the building company McLaughlin & Harvey joined them.
Additionally present at the ceremony was OxLEP, which gave OAS a grant to pay for specialised equipment.
“It is an exciting time for OAS as we strive to expand on our success of providing the local community and employers with the skills needed to propel fusion energy and related sectors ahead,” said David Martin, Director of OAS at UKAEA.
“OAS seeks to upskill the current workforce and develop the next generation of engineering talent.
The new programmes will enable UK manufacturers to implement game-changing robotics and space technologies, enhancing businesses’ ability to compete on a global scale.
Harvey Black (UKAEA), Tommy Illingworth (Presto Engineering), Phoebe Wales (Williams F1), Sam Spencer (STFC), Jodi Bain (Owen Mumford), and Rhys Dawes were among the apprentices who attended the ceremony (Williams Jet Tenders).
Harvey Black, a Level 3 Engineering Technician and UKAEA apprentice, is assisting in the development of fusion energy as a secure, low-carbon, and long-lasting energy source.
Fusion energy is based on the same principles that power the sun. He claimed that the extension’s potential had him fired up.
Harvey continued, “I am loving my studies here, and it is advancing my professional goals.
This growth demonstrates that what is doing is effective and will continue.
Even more people will profit from the extra room, tools, and equipment.
The three-year-old facility will be expanded by 2,355 square metres before its first cohort arrives in September 2023, providing 90 extra apprentices with career-building chances.
Operations Manager for MTC Training at OAS Emma Johnstone stated: “Since opening in 2019, the number of apprentice intakes has already doubled.
With more people and businesses receiving future skill support thanks to the extension, OAS will be able to further expand its effect.
We are dedicated to collaborating with our employer partners to pinpoint the skills shortages that pose a threat to their present and upcoming company operations.
As a result of this work, I’m happy to say that the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education has already approved our new Level 4 Space apprenticeship programme.
We are also hard at work developing the curriculum for our other new courses, which will be introduced later this year.
OAS is a collaboration between the Science & Technology Facilities Council and UKAEA (STFC).
Over the course of more than 70 years, the two organisations have provided apprentice training in engineering and science.
The design of the addition, which is a component of OAS Phase 3 and ensures that the training centre meets the needs of those with mental health, neurodiverse, and physical disabilities, was influenced by an Access & Awareness report.
Along with enhanced access for persons with physical hurdles, such as braille signposting, hearing aids, and interior design, this includes training personnel to increase awareness.