68 apprenticeship places are up for grabs later this month when Shropshire's newest training hub holds a 'showcase' event.
Young people, parents and businesses are being encouraged to attend the event, which will mark 60 days before the official opening of the £3m Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology (MCMT), a hub that aims to support 2020 learners by 2020.
“We are continually told there is a skills shortage in the region and this is holding companies back...well now is the time to stop talking about it and actually embrace a bold and ambitious vision to bridge that gap,” explained Matthew Snelson, managing director of MCMT.
Led by employers Grainger & Worrall, Classic Motor Cars, Salop Design & Engineering and training specialist In-Comm, the centre will provide the county with access to over 65,000 sq ft of engineering and manufacturing space.
The event on 30 June, will provide visitors with a 'sneak-peak' at the development of the centre, a virtual tour of the different technology zones and a chance to meet key members of the team.
There will also be the chance for young people to sign-up to be part of the first cohort of apprentices available in courses ranging from maintenance engineering, business improvement and welding, to automotive, electrical, engineering design and mechanical engineering.
The centre has received £1.9m of Government Growth Deal funding via the Marches LEP to bring the concept into reality, with £1.1m of private funding already pledged.
Located on The Stanmore Industrial Estate in Bridgnorth, the MCMT will house dedicated fabrication, foundry, lathe, metrology, milling, robotics and vehicle trimming sections, as well as a specialist CNC Zone and spray booth/mixing capabilities.
There will also be an auditorium lecture theatre and bespoke learning environments.
Mr Snelson added: “We are just finalising the technology that will be installed and ready for action when we launch in September. It's an exciting list so far and will be far more advanced than anything current available in the county.
“For instance, there will be 30 manual lathes and milling centres, a Laser Roamer arm for metrology, Hardinge Bridgeport CNC Centres, Halter Automation Robotics Line and testing machines. This is just a snapshot; the full capability will be announced shortly.”