A new state-of-the-art training and development facility has been officially opened at Sheffield Forgemasters, marking a major investment in the city’s industrial future and in training the next generation of nuclear-grade engineers.

The 6,700 square feet facility, located within the company’s historic South Machine Shop on Brightside Lane, was opened by Admiral Sir Tim Fraser, Chair of Sheffield Forgemasters.

The launch showcases 18 new high-tech engineering machines, including a five-axis milling and turning machine and advanced digital operating systems designed to replicate 4.0 manufacturing environments.

Jay Shaw, Head of Machine Shops at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “The launch of our new training and development facility marks a significant step-change in the skills that we can deliver for our apprentices.”

The development forms part of Sheffield Forgemasters’ wider effort to modernise its production capabilities as it builds a new 30,000 m² machining hall, one of the most advanced defence manufacturing facilities in the world.

The facility includes 800 square feet of office and teaching space and will host a permanent engineering skills coach as part of a four-year training partnership with the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre.

Louise Cowling, Head of Apprenticeship Programmes Delivery at the AMRC Training Centre, said the collaboration will provide apprentices with experience that goes far beyond traditional training.

She said: “The combination of such excellent facilities and a clearly defined training programme will offer apprentices the opportunity to develop engineering techniques which are far in advance of contemporary practices.”

The new centre will train Sheffield Forgemasters’ apprentices in advanced machining, precision measurement, and digital manufacturing, helping to sustain the company’s global reputation for producing some of the world’s most complex nuclear-grade forgings and castings.