THE Isle of Man Aerospace Cluster has helped to fund a new milling machine at Castle Rushen High School.
The Bridgeport machine is a high quality, industry standard machine and its installation is intended to significantly improve students' knowledge about the basic and advanced principles of the milling process - one of the core aspects of engineering.
Castle Rushen High School head teacher Andrew Cole said: "On behalf of the school I'd like to thank the members of the Isle of Man Aerospace Cluster for assisting with funding and co-ordinating the acquisition of this machine.
"It helps us take a big step forward in achieving our aims of supporting both the GCSE engineering qualification and the local manufacturing and engineering sector."
Chairman of the Isle of Man Aerospace Cluster Adrian Moore said: "The cluster members are delighted to have been approached to help with the acquisition of this machine.
"However, the purchase and installation has really been a team effort and special mention must be made of Castle Rushen High School's head of design and technology Andy Green, and to Adrian Harrison, the engineering skills champion who also coordinates the Awareness of Careers in Engineering initiative."
In addition to the support of the Aerospace Cluster members, the installation of the machine was greatly helped by the assistance of Castle Rushen High School technician Clive Stanger and Lenny Glassey of Pooil Vaaish, while cluster member Target Aerospace kindly donated cutting tools and ancillary equipment to bring the machine into operation.
Political member of the Department of Economic Development with responsibility for manufacturing Laurence Skelly MHK said: "We hope that the success of this initiative between the Isle of Man Aerospace Cluster and Castle Rushen High School will inspire students in other secondary schools in the Island to consider engineering and manufacturing as a career.
"I know that the cluster is very keen to help develop the engineers of the future as there are such great opportunities here in the Isle of Man for those wishing to pursue a career in manufacturing and engineering."
