b'26 Partner News Winter 2021EnterpriseLCA Group supports Coleg Cambrias electrical engineering apprenticesis a perpetual challenge for us, there is the additional shift in how we deliver for the requirements of Industry 4.0, and the challenges and opportunities that brings. Our teams will be required to manage systems and data to develop, design, read and understand engineering concepts and systems as well as using this information in ever more automated environments. Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) software packages such as EPLAN will become standard in the very near future and it is critical that those coming into engineering adopt these now, so they are industry ready.The partnership was unveiled to students Alan Sheppard, Managing Director, LCA Group at an event in October, which included presentations by Alan Sheppard and Nick Tyson, Vice Principal of the colleges Institute Electrical engineering company LCA Groupanticipated that over 200 students each yearof Technology. The event provided students have a long history of recruiting apprenticeswill benefit from this partnership. with a foretaste of the systems capabilities, from Coleg Cambria to support their growingincluding its automated data input, how team. They have recently identified a solutionTeaching students to use CAE softwareto create 3D electrical system design from one of their engineering softwareis a new venture for the college, EPLANsmodels, and developing a digital twin as the providers, EPLAN, as a potential opportunitysoftware offers a bespoke system, with afoundation for efficient production.to help students get on the path to aproven capability to increase efficiency and successful career in engineering. facilitate an easier path between designAlan continues: LCA Group already supports and production. Dan Jones, Lecturer ina robust apprenticeship programme to grow EPLAN, a leading design software provider,Electrical Engineering at Coleg Cambria,the talent and teach the future workforce is committed to supporting new entrantsadvises: Having access to EPLAN will meanhow to compete in todays environment. into the engineering profession, offering itsour learners now have the opportunity toThis partnership is a first step in a wider software free of charge to higher educationunderstand how modern industrial electricalprogramme to help establish even closer ties colleges and training centres to supportpanels are designed and will provide themwith the college.apprenticeship training. with valuable experience in creating and interpreting industrial panel electricalKen Christie, EPLAN UK Country Director Having developed a strong relationship withschematics.concludes: This partnership lends itself EPLAN over the past four years, the offerperfectly to aligning student skillsets to higher education establishments wasWhilst EPLAN software has helped transformwith that of current industry trends and brought to LCA Groups attention and fromLCA Groups manufacturing processes, therequirements. By supporting students with there, and in a UK first, LCA Group and Colegchallenge is finding skilled staff to maintaintheir use of EPLAN software, students will Cambria agreed that the college would useand grow its workforce. have experience of using relevant tools, EPLAN in their courses, and that LCA Grouptherefore building their confidence as they would financially support the charge forAlan Sheppard, Managing Director of LCAprepare to join the workforce.EPLAN support for the next five years. It isGroup, advises: Finding the right talent'