Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills
ABOUT US
The Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills (ECMS) is a £11 million employerled training, research and knowledge exchange facility located in the Black Country funded by the local growth fund. The centre was designed to support the UK’s metal manufacturing industry in upskilling and multiskilling the workforce, with particular focus on emerging technology in sustainable manufacturing, casting and metal forming sectors.
Building on the renowned industrial heritage of the West Midlands, the ECMS supports the industry by providing specialist access to manufacturing research, technology infrastructure and training to help close skills gaps to create and retain jobs in the manufacturing sector.
The ECMS has two main centres as part of the hub and spoke model. The hub is based at the University of Wolverhampton’s Springfield Campus, and the spoke at the National Foundry Training Centre in Tipton. Both are supported by the universities advanced additive manufacturing facilities at Wolverhampton and Telford campuses, where we provide:
Business assistance
Knowledge exchange and research excellence
National Foundry Training Centre
Additive manufacturing
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training courses
Funding and grant support
ECMS is funded by The Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership and is a collaboration between the University of Wolverhampton, Dudley College, Cast Metals Federation, Confederation of British Metalforming and Institute of Cast Metals Engineers.
£11 MILLION
EMPLOYER-LED TRAINING, RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE
EXCHANGE FACILITY IN THE HEART OF THE WEST MIDLANDS.
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ECMS Springfield Hub, Wolverhampton
ECMS National Foundry Training Centre, Tipton
ECMS Telford Campus
3 Manchester Sheffield Birmingham Cardiff Bristol London
WHERE WE ARE
Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin
Staffordshire
Herefordshire
Worcestershire
Warwickshire
The Black Country
ECMS CORE FOCUS
Nationally, the ECMS contributes to the levelling up framework for sustainable metal processing to inform a low-carbon economy and to address the low productivity challenges in the following areas:
BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
• Business assists
• Industry engagement
• Funding, grants and tenders
• Data informing policy
• Knowledge exchange and research excellence
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
• Laser powder bed fusion
• Process parameter development
• In-situ alloying
• Metamaterials
• Biomaterials
• Energy materials
FOUNDRY
• Recycled materials/alloys
• Sustainable practices and additive manufacturing integration
• Energy efficiency
• Quality control and Non-destructive testing (NDT)
• Research
10% OF ALL JOBS IN THE ADVANCED MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN ENGLAND ARE IN WOLVERHAMPTON.
The sector is a crucial part of Wolverhampton’s future growth, but also faces challenges as we transition to new technologies and automation, manage the circular economy transition and ongoing energy.
CPD TRAINING
• Computer-aided design (CAD)
• Finite element analysis (FEA)
• Additive manufacturing (AM)
• Foundry
• Metallurgy
• Metrology
• Manufacturing
• Bespoke
Locally, the ECMS also acts as a catalytic project forming part of the Wolverhampton Green Innovation Corridor growing the low carbon metals manufacturing economy. There are a number of sector specialisms present in Wolverhampton, where the city holds a competitive advantage and where there is significant growth potential to support many firms, sectors and supply chains, as well as the overall economy.
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KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE & RESEARCH EXCELLENCE
The ECMS engages with industry partners including businesses, manufacturers, engineers, suppliers, buyers and ECMS partners to gather referrals and insights into emerging trends and challenges within the manufacturing sector.
The ECMS can offer a structured approach to research collaboration and knowledge exchange aimed at enhancing the capabilities and competitiveness of engineering and manufacturing SMEs. Located in the Black Country and proud to build on the renowned industrial heritage of the West Midlands, the ECMS delivery model offers bespoke six-month to one-year support and expertise through specialist training and research workflow, facilitated by knowledge transfer associates.
HOW WE WORK WITH YOU
Here at the ECMS, we carry out our training and research activities through academic support, postdoctorates and research technicians.
The content of the consultancy programmes is tailored to meet the specific requirements of SMEs or may consist of prepared ECMS work packages, designed to address industry-relevant manufacturing.
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UPSKILLING & DEVELOPING YOUR WORKFORCE FOR THE FUTURE
The ECMS is proud to offer training and continuing professional development (CPD) courses to your organisation.
From 12 hours of free assistance to eligible organisations which can take many different forms, for example, a training needs analysis, a process review to demonstrations - we have something for everyone.
ARE YOU LOOKING TO UPSKILL YOUR EMPLOYEES OR ATTRACT NEW TALENT?
Our training model has a number of benefits for employers. Helping to close the skills gap in the economy, we will help you:
• Develop a highly-skilled, professional workforce
• Train your current workforce, bringing new knowledge and skills into your business
• Acquire new talent, including high-calibre school-leavers
• Create opportunities for progression within your organisation
• Access the expertise available within the Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills
OTHER WAYS WE CAN SUPPORT YOU
We can support your organisation in a number of different ways, from room hire at either one of our two locations in the Black Country, or access to other specialised facilities including a metallurgy laboratory and a sand laboratory.
ECMS is also able to provide links into a range of other organisations including the University of Wolverhampton. It is regularly able to offer access to training without charge.
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BESPOKE BUSINESS ASSISTANCE FOR YOU
The ECMS offers bespoke business assistance to organisations across the UK. While located in the Black Country, the centre is proud to build on the region’s renowned industrial heritage, and aims to support the industry by providing specialist training, helping to close skills gaps. With support from ECMS, your organisation can engage with expert professionals who can help to upskill and multi-skill your workforce.
With a particular focus on developing technical skills and knowledge in engineering, manufacturing, casting and metal forming sectors, ECMS is proud to provide support provision. This comprises 12 hours of free assistance to eligible organisations and which can take many different shapes and could include a training needs analysis, a process review, access to other specialised facilities across our two hubs and engineering campus, to links into a range of other organisations including the University of Wolverhampton.
Start your journey with us and take advantage of our bespoke business assistance today.
WE ARE NOT DEFINED GEOGRAPHICALLY OR BY LOCATION — WE CAN SUPPORT YOU WHEREVER YOU ARE.
If you’re interested in finding out more about how the ECMS can support your organisation through business assistance, knowledge exchange and research excellence, or training opportunities, please get in touch.
Tel: 01902 321 678
Email: enquiries@theecms.co.uk
Visit: theecms.co.uk
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ECMS SPRINGFIELD
Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills
Springfield Campus
Cambridge Street
Wolverhampton
WV10 0JR
Tel: 01902 321 678
ECMS FOUNDRY
Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills
National Foundry Training Centre
Tipton Road
Tipton
DY4 7UW
Tel: 01902 321 195
ECMS TELFORD
Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills
Telford Campus
Shifnal Road
Priorslee
Telford
Shropshire
TF2 9NN
Tel: 01902 323 900
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