Education & Training 2023

Traditionally McAree Engineering invests in state-of-the-art machine capability and have an amazing suite of modern Trumpf Lasers and Press brakes and other sheet metal equipment. So far in 2023 this has continued with the addition of a Trumpf 6m 5060 12KW Laser and a 2 bay Oversize VALK Robotic Welding cell. However, having the best equipment is only part of the McAree Engineering success story. They are also investing heavily in digitization with the imminent implementation of an Epicor ERP system and a companywide Training and education programme under their McAree Engineering Training Academy.

This training programme is comprised of 3 elements:

Job specific training focused on ensuring that all staff have the correct training that enables them to do their job safely and competently.

Training on Forklift Driving, Overhead Gantry Crane, Abrasive Wheels and manual handing is provided by their own in-house certified trainer, Sean Sherry.

New operations staff are brought through 1 year traineeship programmes in the areas of Sheet Metal Processing, Metal Fabrication and metal Coatings. These courses compliment McAree Engineering Apprenticeship programme where they offer apprenticeships in: Sheet Metal Working; Sheet Metal Fabrication; Accounting Technician; Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitting & Electrical. McAree Engineering were delighted to be awarded a 2022 Apprenticeship Employer of the Year Award.

With a go live date of the 3rd Oct for our Epicor ERP system all our Administration and Production staff have completed end to end process training in a series of "sprints" where in-house process subject matter experts have designed and developed bespoke training guides for wider use.

Additionally, the company have engaged with the North East Regional Skills through the CMETB and are implementing a Welding Upskilling course which will be delivered onsite through CMETB trainers and will be based on City & Guilds training modules – this course will commence in Q4 2023.

They haven't forgotten about Senior Managers who are always encouraged to keep up to date with latest thinking. The Sales & Marketing Manager, Peter Richardson is completing a Masters in Sales Management through TUD. David Caraher, Manufacturing Manager is starting a Masters in Production Management through UL in Sept while Terry O'Neill Quality Manager is completing a Post graduate certificate in Safety, Health and Welfare and Work through UCC.

Soft skill Management Training – McAree Engineering recognise that many of its people managers have limited formal people management training - to this end working with outside support, Team BDS, they have designed a series of training programmes designed to upskill people managers at all levels in areas of Effective Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Leadership for Managing Change & effective negotiation.

McAree Engineering are rolling out Lean and Continuous Improvement training with 127 staff already completed Lean White Belt Training (in association with Team BDS). This will be further enhanced in Sept 2023 with Yellow Belt training and Green Belt training in Q1 2024 for up to 30 staff in each course. This will be further supplemented with training modules on Root Cause Analysis, Value Stream Mapping which will be rolled out to similar sized groups.

Additionally, they have engaged with Monaghan Institute in devising a Microsoft Accredited course in Outlook/SharePoint & MS teams which all office-based staff will complete over the next year. This is a 21-hour commitment and is designed to provide staff with the digital skills necessary to improve collaboration & teamwork. The first group of 10 finished their course in August which took place in Monaghan Institute.