University College Isle of Man (UCM) hosted its annual Skills Test this week, with 24 students taking part in the competition.
Now in its fourth year, Skills Test is an annual UCM event which provides students with an opportunity to battle it out in friendly competition, whilst demonstrating their engineering talents to friends, family, industry experts and local dignitaries.
The Engineering Skills Test took place a week after UCM held its annual Engineering Careers event in partnership with the Island’s thriving Engineering industry. 40 people visited the University-College’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre at Hills Meadow in Douglas on 8th March to find out more about the Centre’s world-class Engineering facilities and meet with Engineering organisations to discuss their future career-paths.
The event showcased students’ abilities and celebrated the intricacies involved with vocational qualifications.
John Cashin, Engineering Assistant Programme Manager, explained “Skills Test is a key event on the UCM calendar, and challenges our students to utilise the complex skills and knowledge they have developed throughout their studies with us.”
“Competitors are observed by judges and representatives from local industries, so it is a great opportunity for students to show off their skills to potential employers.”
Participants worked in two areas; manual milling/turning and CNC turning/milling.
Turning and milling are two common machining processes in the manufacturing industry that involve removing material from a component using various types and styles of cutter.
The winning students were presented their prize by the Lieutenant General, Sir John Lorimer.
UCM Principal, Jesamine Kelly, said “Engineering and vocational based studies play a key role in the Island’s economy, and an event such as this, provides young apprentices with the chance to demonstrate their strengths and improve their confidence in a real working environment. The students have really raised the bar this year, and we are extremely proud to be working closely with local employers to showcase the Island’s new talent.”
Cash prizes for this year’s event, have been kindly donated by ACE (Awareness in Careers in Engineering), supported by local engineering and manufacturing businesses: Swagelok, Strix Technology, Triumph Integrated Systems, Target Tools, Manx Utilities and RLC-Ronaldsway.
Winners of this year’s competition were:
- The Best Manual Turner: Louis Creer
- The Best Manual Miller: Jack Burgess
- The Best CNC Miller: Polly Watson
- The Best CNC Turner: Thomas Young
