Local employers in the region are working closely with South Hampshire College Group (SHCG) to develop skills, share expertise, and create new opportunities for future engineers.
Through access to industry-standard facilities and structured work placements, businesses like Rigging Projects Group are seeing real benefits—not just in upskilling their teams but in building strong connections with the next generation of talent.
SHCG’s Centre of Excellence in Engineering, Manufacturing and Advanced Skills Training (CEMAST) facilities provide employers with tailored training that aligns with industry demands. Businesses looking to refine their workforce’s skills are finding value in these resources.
Molly Cooper, SHCG Commercial Activities Manager, highlighted the importance of this collaboration:
“It’s great to see how our facilities are helping Rigging Projects and other local employers to upskill staff and develop their teams. By working together, we can support innovation and business growth while ensuring that training meets real industry needs.”
For Rigging Projects Group, the benefits of engaging with CEMAST have been clear. Joe Porter, Head of Quality Assurance, shared his experience:
“The CEMAST facilities are always well maintained, and the course we attended has been invaluable in helping us understand machining processes more deeply. I’d recommend it to anyone in CNC machining or looking to expand their knowledge in this field.”
Beyond training, the partnership between SHCG and local employers is helping to bridge the gap between education and employment. T Level industry placements are providing students with hands-on experience while offering businesses the chance to shape and mentor future talent.
Sam Sainsbury, General Manager at Rigging Projects Group, spoke about the company’s positive experience with the programme:
“Our involvement in T Level industry placements has been overwhelmingly positive. The structured programme gives us a meaningful way to engage with emerging talent, and we’ve seen firsthand how valuable these placements can be. Based on their success, we’re continuing to host students as part of our commitment to developing the future workforce.”
By working together, local businesses and SHCG are creating opportunities that benefit both employers and students, ensuring the region remains a hub for skilled engineering talent.
