Warco Machines in new Reading University workshop

The facilities were opened by Gary Headland DL, Chief Executive of Activate Learning, and HM Lord-Lieutenant of the Royal County of Berkshire, Andrew Try, DL.

The state-of-the-art facilities will be used by students studying Constuction and Engineering pathways at the King’s Road campus.

We were approached by Gary Williams, of Activate Learning, who needed to source the best possible machinery for the workshop.

"As a very satisfied customer, I have used WARCO over the past 20 years to supply machines and equipment for two educational workshops and my own hobby workshop. They have always provided excellent service with the supply, delivery, and installation of the machines and their after-sales service is always a pleasure to use. I cannot thank them enough for the help and support they have given over the years, especially in the past year setting up a completely new workshop." Gary Williams, Engineering Lecturer, Reading University

The new facilities include Warco machines, along with metal 3D printers, and other manufacturing and metrology equipment, which will allow Activate Learning to deliver the new Engineering T Level at Reading College and University Centre, and showcase Activate Learning’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology in education.

Activate Learning was awarded funding by the Department for Education through the Specialist Equipment Allocation, which is part of the T Level capital funding. The Specialist Equipment Allocation is a payment available to all T Level providers when they begin delivery of a T Level route for the first time.

Ben Jokiel, Group Director of the Construction and Engineering Faculty, Activate Learning, said: “We are very proud to officially open this new workshop and welcome a broad range of stakeholders to show them what our new capabilities look like. 

“We are investing significantly in redeveloping our engineering facilities and this is the start of that process. 

“The new addition of manufacturing and metrology equipment moves us much closer to industry and gives our full-time students and apprentices a much more relevant experience. This has also allowed us to deliver the new T Level in Engineering in a far more engaging way. 

“Engineering has changed significantly; like many industries, it is no longer about oily rags and dirty workshops. This bright, clean and new space, with some fantastic high-tech equipment, demonstrates this.” 

At the launch of the workshop, which took place in November, HM Lord-Lieutenant of the Royal County of Berkshire, Andrew Try, DL, said: “Today was a fantastic opportunity to see this extraordinary and new facility focused on Engineering and STEM subjects, and T Levels in particular.