ECMS is a collaboration between the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership, University of Wolverhampton, Dudley College, Cast Metals Federation, Confederation of British Metalforming, Institute of Cast Metals Engineers and In-Comm Training.
The ECMS Hub is based at the University of Wolverhampton’s £100 million regeneration project at the former Springfield Brewery. It is an employer-led training facility for the Black Country, designed to build on the region’s industrial heritage by providing specialist training, short courses and apprenticeships to upskill the current and future workforce.
Ian Fitzpatrick, chief executive at the ECMS, said: “This is a key strategic project for the Black Country which links further education and higher education with local, regional and national employers.
“It’s well known that the manufacturing industry has an ageing workforce and that bespoke training courses -specifically matching industry requirements - can be difficult to source.
“Our aim at the ECMS is to give our learners a clear line of sight and a career pathway from Levels 2, 3 and 4, through to Higher National Certificate and Diploma and then Degree Apprenticeships, offering a complete or bespoke training package for the manufacturing sector through both practical and theoretical learning.”
Ninder Johal, Black Country LEP board member said: “We are delighted to have worked with partners from the University and training providers to manufacturers and employers to ensure that this new state of the art facility will deliver provision that doesn’t currently exist in the Black Country.
“Funded through the Black Country LEP’s Growth Deal the ECMS will provide specialist training designed to improve productivity and growth across High Value Manufacturing in the Black Country and in doing so support the continued transformation of the Black Country economy.”
