Students enhance knowledge with engineering visit

Advanced Manufacturing Engineering apprentices visited a local aerospace engineering company to develop their knowledge and understanding of engineering processes.

The apprentices were given the opportunity to visit Express Engineering, which is based in Gateshead and is one of the UK’s largest and most experienced aerospace engineering company. They manufacture components and assemblies, from difficult-to-machine hard metals to exotic materials for the aerospace industry.

The visit involved a briefing by CEO John Patterson on the company’s history and their planned developments. John also inspired the apprentices by giving them an insight into his own career development in the engineering sector.

The apprentices also had a behind the scenes tour of the company’s industry leading facilities including state-of-the-art CNC machine tools.

Jeff Bower, Engineering Lecturer at Sunderland College, said:

“The two hour visit to the plant allowed the apprentices to put their learning into context. They experienced a greater understanding of the machining and properties of super alloys than they would have in a classroom.”