Cheshire Unpacked

“The manufacturing industry has experienced significant developments and changes over recent years. It is an exciting, dynamic and challenging world, which is likely to become more competitive in the future.”

The East Cheshire Diploma Consortium

East Cheshire, in the north-west of the country, is a predominantly rural area with several sizeable towns, including Macclesfield and Congleton. It is one of the most prosperous parts of the UK, with low unemployment, a thriving economy and a well educated workforce. 

Cheshire has a diverse economy with significant sectors including agriculture, automotive, bio-technology, chemical, financial services, food and drink, ICT and tourism. It covers a large area and is divided into six consortia for the delivery of the Diploma.

This case study focuses on East Cheshire Diploma Consortium but there is significant sharing of knowledge between the consortia at a county level, particularly on employer engagement.

The East Cheshire Diploma Consortium will be delivering the Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Design (MPD) in September 2009. The Diploma will focus teaching and learning around key local manufacturing industries including pharmaceuticals, industrial textiles, electronics and aerospace.

“We’ll deliver a quality product – a lot of time and effort has gone into this and we are well placed for delivering the Manufacturing and Product Design Diploma.”

Head of ECAT, Macclesfield College

Education facilities for delivery of MPD

The educational partners in the East Cheshire Diploma Consortium are all of the high schools in the Borough of Macclesfield, the two high schools in the town of Congleton (in the adjacent borough) and Macclesfield College. 

Tuesdays and Thursdays have been set aside for the teaching of the Diploma which will initially be delivered centrally at Macclesfield College by staff from across the schools and the College, with support around functional skills being delivered within the individual schools.

Macclesfield College’s facilities were recognised as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted and have Learning and Skills Beacon status. The College is also a delivery partner in the NSAM (National Skills Academy for Manufacturing).

Two of the local schools, Congleton High School and Macclesfield High School, have Engineering and Technology specialist status respectively. The overlap between MPD and Engineering Diplomas means that these schools will also be suitably equipped for the delivery of the Diploma, at least at Level 1 or 2. Schools’ specialist resources typically include: metal/wood turning lathes, milling and drilling machines, casting facilities, brazing hearths, vacuum-forming machines and general workshop tools.

"Once you’ve got big employers attending the forum [at a county level] it is easier for them to extend their involvement to the local level.”

14-19 Strategy Manager, Cheshire County Council

Industry facilities for delivery of MPD

East Cheshire’s traditional dependence on the silk/textile industry (concentrated in the Macclesfield area) has given way to predominantly service sector employment. In particular financial and business services have shown significant growth.

Nonetheless manufacturing continues to underpin the strength of the local economy, with Vauxhall Motors Ltd representing a significant local employer. Other employers interested in participating in the delivery of the Diploma in MPD include AstraZeneca, Siemens, Bentley, Airbus, Airbags International and Shell.

Manufacturing sector employers engage in Diploma development via the Cheshire MPD Diploma Forum, which includes the East Cheshire Diploma Consortium. The Consortium will also work with the Education Business Partnership and the training providers Total People Ltd and Setpoints to arrange work placements in local manufacturing industries and other work-related activities for high school students.
 

Key consortium assets

Macclesfield College

The College is part of the new a £38 million development which includes a CoVE in Aerospace Engineering (ECAT) with a purpose built hangar for its BAE Jetstream 31 aircraft; new art and design facilities; a Business and Finance Department rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted and a 14-19 designated MPD and Engineering workshop.

Macclesfield High School

Macclesfield High School was opened in September 2007 as part of the new Macclesfield Learning Zone. It is an 11-19 co-educational comprehensive school with twin specialisms in the Arts and Technology.Facilities relevant to the Diploma in MPD include technology rooms for science, textiles and food, a creative and media room, product design room (with CAD/CAM facilities), CDT room (with CNC and laser cutters) and an electronic systems room.

Vauxhall Motors

Vauxhall Motors plant in Ellesmere Port produces 200,000 Vauxhall Astras a year and employs 2,500 people. Vauxhall Motors is a member of the Diploma Development Group.