Learning centre majors on automation technology

FANUC Robotics UK is supporting Perkins with its Learning Centre by donating a M-710i robot to familiarise students with programming techniques and preventative maintenance.

Available to local businesses, educational establishments and other organisations, the expanded Perkins Learning Centre will benefit up to 6,500 people in Peterborough and local East of England region.

Opened this week by UK government Minister for the East, Barbara Follett the Centre will be supported by a GBP 825,000 grant from the East of England Development Agency (EEDA).

Automation Technology features high at the centre, which has ia mini automated production line, a CNC and robotics suite and a virtual reality modelling facility to simulate shop floor environments.

Supplier partners include FANUC Robotics UK, which has donated a FANUC M-710i robot to familiarise students with programming techniques and preventative maintenance.

Managing director of FANUC Robotics UK, Chris Sumner, said: "This is an important initiative by Perkins and benefits the region and the engineering sector in general.

To maintain the UK's high quality, value added manufacturing base, we need to increasingly develop skills in the production technology available.

Perkins realises this is core to maintaining its competitive edge".

Initiatives at Perkins have included OEMs' support teams working on site with the Perkins' teams to completely rebuild older equipment.

In the case of FANUC Robotics, the company annually takes two Perkins apprentices to work at FANUC's Coventry base for a four week period.

Perkins' investment and development of the business in Peterborough has been significant.

When he welcomed Minister Follett to the Learning Centre, Perkins President ,Hans Haefeli, said: "Perkins has demonstrated a significant commitment to keeping and growing its manufacturing capability in this region.

Our aim is to drive-up productivity, quality and profitability while taking research, development and process engineering to new levels".

He added: "This will have enormous implications for us in respect of skills - both now and in the future.

Through this partnership initiative and use of our world-class Learning Centre, we can effectively address the skills needs in a structured manner".

Haefeli explained that the Learning Centre would also enable Perkins to work with secondary, further and higher education establishments, to support relevant courses and rekindle an enthusiasm for manufacturing and engineering among local students.

The project resulted from strong partnership working between Perkins, EEDA, GO-East and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).

Working with local colleges the centre is also developing a range of courses designed to improve the literacy, maths and IT skills of Perkins employees and the wider community in Peterborough.

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