MCP Technical Training Open Day November 2024
How to Close Your Technical Skills Gaps
The MCP Technical Training Open Day, held at our newly expanded Reading facility, was a resounding success. Designed to help manufacturing businesses tackle skills shortages and staff retention issues, the event provided valuable insights and practical solutions for the challenges many organisations face.
We were thrilled to welcome a diverse group of industry professionals, all eager to explore strategies for closing their maintenance skills gaps. From food processing and beverages to airports, attendees represented a wide array of sectors, each with unique challenges but a shared goal: building a sustainable, skilled, and cross-functional workforce.
Highlights of the day
The Open Day featured a comprehensive programme, including:
A Tour of Our New Venue and Equipment
Guests explored our state-of-the-art training facility, designed to double our training capacity. This hands-on experience allowed them to see the tools and environments that foster effective learning.Expert-Led Sessions
Our sessions covered a range of topics, from the structure and benefits of our Maintenance Development Centres to the value of multi-skilling. Attendees also learned about the extensive services offered by MCP Group, tailored to support their operational needs.Industry Insights and Networking
Attendees engaged in discussions with peers and experts about shared challenges, including skills shortages, the ageing workforce, and over-reliance on external contractors. The day provided a platform for exchanging ideas and solutions, all over excellent food and coffee.
Tailored Solutions for Real-World Challenges
One of the standout elements of our Technical Training Open Day was the expert-led sessions, designed to provide practical solutions and actionable insights. These sessions sparked engaging discussions and provided a deeper understanding of how tailored training can drive measurable improvements. Here's a closer look at what was covered and how our guests found them valuable:
Maintenance Development Centres
In this session, our experts introduced the concept of Maintenance Development Centres (MDCs)—dedicated hubs that enhance maintenance skills and operational efficiency. The emphasis was on customisation: how each MDC is uniquely structured to align with the operational models and specific challenges of individual businesses.
Guests appreciated the opportunity to see how the MDC could be tailored to their industry, whether they operated in food processing, airports, or automotive manufacturing. From diagnosing common bottlenecks to addressing sector-specific issues like regulatory compliance, attendees found this session a vital starting point for creating a bespoke training strategy. Read more about MDC here >
Our next session introduced attendees to AMIS (Asset Management Improvement Service), a cornerstone of MCP’s consultancy services for over 30 years. This tool has been deployed at over 1,500 sites worldwide across industries like pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and automotive, helping businesses benchmark their performance and develop actionable improvement plans.
Attendees learned how an AMIS assessment can offer a detailed view of their current maintenance practices, identifying strengths and opportunities for growth. They were particularly impressed by the data-driven approach and real-world success stories, which demonstrated how businesses have leveraged AMIS to implement over 6,000 Operational Improvement Programmes globally. For many, this was an eye-opener, highlighting the value of structured benchmarking in driving continuous improvement.
The final sessions focused on upskilling and multi-skilling, critical components in addressing the skills gap. Our consultants shared real-world examples of how equipping engineers with broader skill sets not only increases workforce flexibility but also boosts morale and retention.
Guests engaged in discussions about the practical benefits of multi-skilling, including reduced downtime, improved first-time fix rates, and a more resilient team capable of handling diverse challenges. Several attendees noted that these sessions validated their ongoing efforts and provided fresh ideas to enhance their internal training programmes.
Our Key Observations
One of the key takeaways from the event was how deeply relatable the discussed challenges were to our guests. Many engineering managers are understandably concerned about the age profile of their maintenance teams. With 19.5% of UK engineers set to retire by 2026, businesses face an impending loss of skills, knowledge, and experience.
Our discussions underscored that upskilling engineers, adopting best practices, and embracing multi-skilling are essential steps in maintaining a healthy and sustainable workforce. These measures not only help bridge the skills gap but also improve staff retention, a critical factor in today's market.
Feedback from Our Guest
Gallery
Engineering the Future Solutions to Closing Maintenance Skills Gaps
There is no doubt that Technical Training is making long lasting changes and improvements to maintenance organisations. If you would like to learn more about how Technical Training can help you, simply get in touch with us, we will be happy to set up a call with one of our experienced consultants who can guide you through the process. Book your free consultation with our Technical Training expert now and discover how we can tailor our expertise and find solutions together.
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