Northfleet Technology College

Northfleet Technology College has worked in partnership with LJ Technical Systems and the Vocational Education team at Kent County Council in the management of ‘The Thames Gateway Project’ initiative.

This initiative has involved laboratory and workshop design, advice about the selection of relevant qualifications, refurbishment of existing facilities, supply of Engineering teaching equipment and software, as well as the training and development of staff to deliver the new courses using ICT-based delivery.

At the heart of the Vocational Centre is a networked management system that will track each student’s performance during teacher presentations, computer-based study in the Centre, and ‘anytime anywhere’ Internet-based study.

All of the instructional components include hands-on manipulative tasks. The Centre has the following equipment:

• Robotics Workcell
• Programmable Control Workcell
• Electronic Trainers
• Mechanical Systems Trainers
• Hydraulics Systems Trainers
• Pneumatic/Electro-Pneumatic Systems Trainers
• Prototyping Machine
• Plastics Injection System

Other technology partnerships in Kent include:

• Westwood Technology Centre
• Swanley Technology College
• Sandwich Technology School

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The Academy at Peckham

Academy at Peckham students are getting the chance to explore alternative career pathways that will lead to employment in recognised areas of skills shortages.

Because of their innovative automotive technology programme the school is now meeting the needs of work-related learning and delivering vocational courses within a school setting.

To provide the practical resources required to deliver the courses of study, the school has created an automotive classroom and a workshop area. The automotive lab is equipped with the AutoLAB teaching system, which provides a computer-based resource that has a combination of hands-on trainers, computer-based simulations and large-scale rigs made from real vehicle components.

This learning space is used to deliver the underpinning knowledge the students will require before they attempt the workshop-based activities on real vehicles.

In addition to delivering work-related learning in the automotive sector, the Academy also has plans to develop other programmes in high-tech areas, these include; Electronics, IT Systems Maintenance, and Foundations of Engineering. They have a ScanTEK lab that is used to deliver the design and technology programme.

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