If you are interested in a career in engineering, then why not come and study at The North Highland College's new ETEC facility based in Thurso?

ETEC - The new Engineering Technology and Energy Centre (ETEC) based at the main campus of The North Highland College (part of the University of the Highlands & Islands) in Thurso, offers a very exciting prospect for the community in future years. It enables the college to deliver engineering programmes and modern apprenticeships in partnership with employers in a modern and practical setting with excellent industrial facilities. As part of the University of the Highlands and Islands, the college also delivers ordinary and honours degrees in engineering with energy themes embedded across the programmes.

This hub of engineering excellence provides an opportunity for younger people to acquire a broad range of skills which industry will require both now and in the future, in order to enable them to live and work locally. The design and operation of the 3,600 m2, 21st century engineering hub, which offers not only a realistic working environment but also emulates an industrial culture, has been a collaborative approach between NHC UHI and local industry partners - both committed to developing the new wave of highly skilled engineers needed to meet the energy challenge. As a Scottish training provider for NSAN (National Skills Academy for Nuclear), The North Highland College also takes an active role in the creation, development, and promotion of world class skills and career pathways to support a sustainable future for the nuclear industry.

The Engineering Sponsorship Programme

The programme encourages individuals to apply for full time study in HNC/HND Engineering Systems, BEng Mechanical/Electrical, or Electronic Engineering at the college, which is further supplemented by relevant work experience undertaken at the Dounreay site. After a one year full time course of advanced study at the college, graduates may be employed by DSRL in a relevant role or continue to be sponsored to further their studies at college.

New facilities

The college delivers engineering skills and knowledge to trainees/graduates as well as customised ‘bolt on’ packages dedicated to the engineering and renewable energy sector. Customised training rigs enhance the practical elements of the higher education programmes. All students from different engineering disciplines gain competencies in core aspects of engineering and energy systems. We teach these in new and innovative combinations - emphasising their applicability not only to today's world but to the world of tomorrow.

As well as accommodating classrooms and offices, the new build features workshops based on realistic working environments, capable of delivering skills and knowledge in a wide range of engineering disciplines. It provides a unique resource and suitable environment for businesses wishing to relocate to Caithness and also assists in reskilling - in a modern engineering training facility.

Two large workshops are divided into dedicated training zones

Engineering Skills Workshop

• Mechanical Zone – including a materials testing laboratory. Hand skills area, machining area, and mechanical maintenance.
• Rig Zone – Industrial scale electrical, mechanical, control, and instrumentation rigs provide a realistic working environment in which to practice plant commissioning, maintenance, and isolation dismantling.

• Electrical Zone - Workshops contain and inspection and testing area, a motor room containing pods with racks and work benches, an electrical installation area, and an area dedicated to electrical maintenance.

Fabrication And Welding Workshop

• Welding Zone - contain equipment to carry out a wide range of welding and fabrication processes. This includes twenty four self contained welding booths, and multiprocess welding plant for MMA, MIG and TIG.
• Fabrication Zone – Light and heavy fabrication areas for sheet metal and plate work, and a five tonne overhead crane.

Education And Technology Block

The Education Zone, has 450m² of teaching space equipped with modern video conferencing and multimedia teaching aids. Each teaching room is equipped with computer workstations to provide students with access to a full range of industry standard engineering software applications.

On the ground floor, the large atrium area can be used for conferences, exhibitions, and meetings, etc. This area also contains recreational areas, work spaces, and changing rooms.