As part of the T Level curriculum, learners participate in three challenges enriched with industrial partners over a six-week period. The three challenges designed by Bosch Rexroth, St Modwen and JCB combine nine of the seventeen curriculum units.
The JCB Challenge was launched in January by Georgia Turner, a Senior Quality Engineer at JCB. Georgia is not only a former learner of The JCB Academy but is now also a trustee at the academy. In this challenge, learners work in teams to propose a production line for JCB Heavy Products’ new W-Tech excavator. They are tasked with implementing realistic plans using methods familiar to the manufacturing world. To bring this challenge to life, learners visited the JCB Heavy Products factory, where they received a factory tour and had the opportunity to participate in a Q&A forum with representatives from manufacturing and quality. Additionally, “a day in the life of a PI analyst” provided them with an opportunity to gain insight into the logistics between design and production, exploring the finer details of the process.
Throughout the challenge, learners utilised familiar systems such as SOP, Kaizen, 6S, MTO, MTS, and PI to consolidate their understanding of the role of QC and QA within the industry. The challenge culminates with a build day and judging of supporting documentation, a presentation to the management team, and followed by an awards ceremony.
The JCB Challenge has been designed to provide a realistic and challenging experience for learners, made possible by the support and contribution of JCB. The challenge was enriched by the contribution of graduate apprentices from JCB who assisted with interviews for team performance.
For further information about the Engineering T-level, please click here.