A new, specialist course supporting manufacturing and engineering technicians and their growth businesses is coming to the Malvern Hills district.
Aimed at plugging skills gaps highlighted by high growth specialist manufacturers, the work-focused course has been designed by the New
Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) in Hereford to meet their specific needs.
The new short course, focusing on Manufacturing and Systems Optimisation, is being part-funded by MHDC, and will be delivered over 14 weeks.
It will start on 23 October 2026 and finish at the end of February 2027- costing £1,500 per student.
This new work-related programme of learning will cover practical skills required to support progress for:
- Manufacturing technicians
- Engineering technicians
- Technicians (production)
- Integration and test technicians
- Assistant project managers
This course is aimed at employees who have either already completed an apprenticeship, or who are long-serving employees, such as Production Line Operators, looking at further development.
Cllr Beverley Nielsen, Portfolio Holder for Economy and Tourism at Malvern Hills District Council, said: “We have a very important cohort of firms in Malvern Hills who are growing quickly despite challenging international conditions. They are specialised high-tech manufacturers offering great potential for future jobs and growth.
“Through our High Growth Forum, they have told us that they need to upskill their existing manufacturing technicians. We have responded by working with NMITE to design a new work-related short course and provided financial support to help with early-stage viability.”
Peter Metcalfe, Associate Professor and Academic Lead for Curriculum Partners at NMITE, said: “We greatly appreciate our collaboration with Malvern Hills District Council who have introduced us to a cohort of highly specialised growth companies and supported our development of this new short work-focussed manufacturing and systems optimisation course.
“We’re delighted to be launching this in Malvern this autumn and see opportunities for it elsewhere. Our focus in providing hands-on skills development is to accelerate economic growth in engineering and construction. To this end, our industry-aligned course addresses these critical skills gaps in manufacturing and engineering.”
Early registration and Information about this new 14-week course is available on the CPD section of NMITE’s website at www.nmite.ac.uk/manufacturing-systems-optimisation
Pictured: Peter Metcalfe, Associate Professor at NMITE, Cllr Beverley Nielsen, Portfolio Holder for Economy and Tourism, Mark Chatburn, Metrasens, and Rhys Griffiths, Pulsar Process Measurement.
Date published: 12 May 2026