Employees of a leading local manufacturing company explored the latest technological advancements in their industry at a specialist training event hosted by North Kent College.
The free, one-day Introduction to Mechatronics & Robotics course took place at the College’s Gravesend Campus and was delivered to employees of Wire Belt, the UK’s leading manufacturer of stainless-steel conveyor belts and conveyor systems, based in Sittingbourne.
Led by technical specialists from North Kent College and East Kent College, the training combined theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience in the College’s industry-standard laboratories. Participants covered key topics such as mechatronic systems, control systems, robotics, and programming methods, helping them develop a deeper understanding of the field.
The course received positive feedback from attendees, with Jack Tweedy of Wire Belt saying: "I now have a broader understanding of the programming side of things. It’s a new language for me, but I am now more likely to see it as an option and assess how to apply my knowledge. This knowledge base is really useful."
Mark Andrews, Deputy Executive Principal – Strategy & Curriculum at North Kent College, added: "It was really encouraging to hear from prestigious local employers that the training we developed not only met a critical need but also proved to be an effective way to upskill and retrain staff from other disciplines."
The course was created to support priority areas identified by the Learning & Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) and was initially funded through the Government’s Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF). It was delivered as an initiative of the Kent & Medway Industry 4 council, which is supported by all three Kent College groups: North Kent College, East Kent College and MidKent College.
North Kent College offers a range of Engineering courses, with workshops, laboratories, and classrooms designed to meet the highest industry standards. All teaching staff have extensive industry experience, ensuring students gain practical and relevant skills applicable across various engineering sectors.
To find out more visit the Engineering section of the College website.