Tag: Greenwood Academy

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NEWS: Students from Greenwood Academy celebrate National Manufacturing Day with visit to globally reaching Erdington engineering firm

Words by Josh Handscomb and Erdington Local / Pics supplied by Precision Micro

Celebrating National Manufacturing Day, students from Greenwood Academy visited a globally reaching Erdington based engineering firm today – Precision Micro – as they consider careers in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) sector.

Located at Fort Dunlop, Precision Micro is a worldwide provider of chemically etched components – creating highly accurate metal components for many sectors including electric vehicles, renewable energy, and electric aircraft.

Greenwood Academy have previously placed students into the Precision Micro apprenticeship scheme, giving them the opportunity to learn the key skills required to produce precision-etched metal components – whilst also working towards a Level 3 in Engineering with Birmingham Metropolitan College, James Watt Campus in Great Barr.

Today’s tour gave more local young people the chance to learn about manufacturing process, how factories operate, and to speak with employees in different areas of business about their own experiences working in the engineering industry.

The inaugural National Manufacturing Day took place on 7 July 2022, with manufacturers across the country inviting local schools and members ‘into factories and sites for a behind-the-scenes look’ and to see ‘the potential careers and jobs on offer’ within the ‘wonderfully diverse’ manufacturing sector.

A proud Birmingham business, Precision Micro began its operations in the city’s Jewellery Quarter in 1962 but is now based at Fort Dunlop – supplying parts for well known global brands in the automotive, aerospace, medical, and energy sectors.

Precision Micro produces millions of high-quality precision etched components every year and has a long history of investing in people, with its Director and Co-owner, Mick Taylor, himself starting out as an apprentice three decades ago.

Led by current and former Precision Micro apprentices, the Erdington based business hoped today’s tour would inspire pupils and educate them about the jobs and roles available in their area once they leave education.

Nikki Squire, HR Manager at Precision Micro, said: “We take our role in the community seriously and see real importance in showcasing the rewarding career opportunities available in the manufacturing sector to the next generation.

“The Midlands has always been a melting pot of engineering talent and contributes greatly to our local economy. So, initiatives like today’s National Manufacturing Day factory tour are key to changing young peoples’ perspective of the opportunities available to them within the region.”

Claire Hughes, Transition Manager at Greenwood Academy, added: “Our students were highly engaged with today’s factory tour at Precision Micro.

“They got the chance to learn about the different roles across the company and speak with people within the manufacturing sector.

“Opportunities like this can be critical for young people when making choices about the first stage of their career pathway.”

Precision Micro is welcoming new schools and colleges to partner in its apprenticeship scheme for 2024. For more information please email: hrsupport@precisionmicro.com

For more on Precision Micro visit www.precisionmicro.com

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BACK TO WORK: Erdington engineering firm Precision Micro looking for 16-21-year-olds to join 2023 Apprenticeship Scheme

Words by BTW editorial team and Precision Micro / Pics supplied by Precision Micro

Erdington based engineering firm Precision Micro are looking for 16-21-year-olds to join their 2023 Apprenticeship Scheme

A proud Birmingham business, Precision Micro began its operations in the city’s famous Jewellery Quarter in 1962 but is now based at Fort Dunlop – supplying parts for well known global brands in the automotive, aerospace, medical, and energy sectors.

Following the success of last year’s apprenticeship drive, the management-owned engineering company is now looking to welcome a brand-new cohort into its 2023 Apprenticeship Scheme, and kickstart their careers in the engineering industry.

During the four-year placement, apprentices will have the opportunity to experience every department within Precision Micro, learning the key skills required to produce precision-etched metal components.

Successful applicants will begin their apprenticeships in September this year, while working towards a Level 3 in Engineering with Birmingham Metropolitan College – James Watt Campus in Great Barr.

Precision Micro produces millions of high-quality precision etched components every year and has a long history of investing in its people, with its Director and Co-owner, Mick Taylor, himself starting out as an apprentice three decades ago.

Mick Taylor, Director at Precision Micro, said: “We’ve been investing heavily in our business in recent years, with millions of pounds put into expanding and upgrading our facility and equipment, so it’s a really exciting time to be joining Precision Micro.

“Last year, four apprentices joined us and they’re all flourishing within their roles, learning lots about our business and the industries which we support, as well as contributing to the high levels of quality we pride ourselves on.”

Amongst the 2022 apprentices, Clayton and Kyle both began their time at Precision Micro after studying at Greenwood Academy on Castle Vale – neighbouring the Fort Dunlop engineering firm.

Clayton, who currently works in the Precision Micro quality team, told: “I have gained a vast amount of knowledge that helps me in different situations to either solve problems, guide jobs around the process or to work on the different projects that are incomplete”.

Kyle, who began his Process Engineering apprenticeship last year, said: “Everyone at Precision Micro is so kind, helpful, and approachable meaning you never have to feel scared to ask questions.

“My time here so far has helped me to grow as a person, in confidence and knowledge, so I can’t thank the business enough for this opportunity.”

Greenwood Academy’s Engineering teacher, Gregory Crookendale, added: “Clayton and Kyle were always model students who always showed a keen interest and aptitude for Engineering.

“I am very proud of them and I know that their resilience and dedication will serve them well in their apprenticeships.”

Since 2019, Precision Micro has invested more than £5million in upgrading its facility, significantly increasing capacity and underpinning its growth strategy, with plans to invest a further £1.4million in 2023.

This year, the company is targeting 20% growth and believes investing in apprentices will be key to achieving its ambitions and sustaining performance for years to come, with key development areas outlined in its new ESG framework.

To apply for the Precision Micro 2023 Apprenticeship Scheme, visit www.resources.precisionmicro.com/apprenticeships

For more on Precision Micro visit www.precisionmicro.com

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NEWS: Over a hundred new homes set for old Greenwood Academy site on Castle Vale

Words by Ed King

Castle Vale could see over a hundred new homes being built on the old Greenwood Academy site, after a deal has been struck between Lovell Partnerships, The Pioneer Group, and Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust (BMHT) – Birmingham City Council’s housebuilding arm.

The new housing development, to be called The Point, will see 123 new homes on the Vale, with over 50% being earmarked for social housing and subsidised rentals.

Lovell Partnership will be looking to build 59 two, three, and four bed homes for sale on the open market.

40 homes will be rental properties for Birmingham City Council, whilst the remaining 24 will be rental properties for Vale based The Pioneer Group, managed under its Castle Vale Community Housing (CVCH) social housing brand.

Tenants in The Pioneer Group properties will benefit from affordable rents, with rates set at 20% below current market rent levels.

The Pioneer Group’s homes will include ten 1-bedroom apartments, eight 2-bedroom houses and six 3-bedroom houses. These properties will be allocated to CVCH applicants from its waiting list.

For more information on CVCH allocation scheme and a link to the application form click here.

Greenwood Academy (previously Castle Vale School) opened the doors of its new school building on Farnborough Road on 13 March 2018, with an official ceremony attended by the late MP for Erdington Jack Dromey.

The previous building was sanctioned for demolition, with a tender put out by Birmingham City Council stating the ‘estimated value of the works is in the region of £400,000 to £600,000’.

The work tendered included ‘safe demolition and site clearance’, but the site itself has stayed undeveloped for over four years – with previous concerns over infrastructure and access.

With a deal now agreed between Lovell Partnerships, BMHT, and The Pioneer Group, Castle Vale could soon be welcoming over a hundred new families on to the North Birmingham estate.

Simon Wilson, CEO The Pioneer Group said:

“This exciting new development at Farnborough Road supports our strategic aim to close the gap in the shortage of high quality and affordable housing in a high-demand area.

“The homes will be on the old Greenwood School site and the whole development will provide a range of rented and home ownership opportunities for local residents. This is a great example of working together with the City Council and Lovells to deliver opportunities in the Vale.”

With a population of over 20,000, Castle Vale has been a hotbed of housing and regeneration since becoming one of the UK’s first Housing Action Trusts in April 1993.

Lovell Partnerships have previously delivered over 230 new build homes on a site adjacent to Farnborough Road.

Stuart Penn, regional managing director at Lovell Partnerships, added:

“We have a strong history of work in Castle Vale and the wider Birmingham area which spans more than a decade and look forward to developing this former school site into much-needed, homes, both for the open market and affordable tenures.

“This development is yet another example of our expertise in bringing brownfield sites back into use.

“This particular location has a really interesting history, and the development will pay homage to the past while also looking to the future.”