News - 27/09/17

Her Royal Highness, The Countess of Wessex, carried out a number of engagements during her visit to the Isle of Wight on 13th September 2017. After visiting Shanklin Chine and the Earl Mountbatten Hospice, The Countess travelled to East Cowes to officially open The Isle of Wight College’s new Centre of Excellence for Composites, Advanced Manufacturing and Marine industries (CECAMM). The £12m investment for this new facility was secured through the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) in conjunction with local engineering employers, including: GKN Aerospace Ltd, MHI Vestas Ltd and Gurit (UK) Ltd.

CECAMM Principal Debbie Lavin and New Build Project Manager David Loudon welcomed The Countess and escorted her on a tour of the building. The Countess said that she was really impressed with the facility and the benefit it will bring to the Island’s businesses. 

The CECAMM opening event was also attended by around 100 dignitaries, Councillors and representatives from the Island’s engineering, manufacturing and maritime industries, including GKN Aerospace, Balfour Beatty, Pick Everard, and Cowes Harbour Commission. Capt. Stuart McIntosh, Cowes Harbour Master commented: “The Commission welcomes the new CECAMM centre, and looks forward to the successful development of the facility, supporting the business needs of the those in the composites, advanced manufacturing and marine sectors on the Island.”

The new CECAMM facility offers students a broad experience of engineering skills within a study programme designed to help secure their careers. The focus will be to provide all of the knowledge and skills that any student will need to enter their chosen field and prepare them for work and/or higher study. The CECAMM curriculum has been created in partnership with local industry leaders to ensure that students gain the most relevant up-to-date industry knowledge and skills. Students have the opportunity to study higher education courses in engineering offered in partnership with the University of Chichester as well as a range of apprenticeships and full-time courses from foundation to advanced.

Top image: CECAMM New Build Project Manager David Loudon and Principal Debbie Lavin with Her Royal Highness, The Countess of Wessex. Photo credit Michael Dunkason.