Newbury College Engineering (Machining) Level 2 students visited Rexmar Engineering Ltd in Hermitage on Wednesday 29 April, gaining valuable insight into specialist manual machining, fabrication and bespoke engineering.
Rexmar Engineering manufactures and supplies road marking machines and equipment from its workshop facility near Newbury. The company also undertakes repair, maintenance and refurbishment work, with a focus on craftsmanship, reliability and customer requirements.
During the visit, students saw how practical workshop skills are used in a specialist engineering business. They learned how manual machining, fabrication, problem-solving and attention to detail support the production and maintenance of equipment used by road marking contractors, local authorities and overseas customers.
The visit complemented an earlier trip this year to Progressive Technology Group, giving students a broader view of engineering in the Thames Valley. Progressive Technology Group is an advanced engineering business specialising in CNC multi-axis machining, carbon components, structural foams and additive manufacturing.
Together, the visits helped students understand the strength and variety of the region’s engineering sector. From advanced CNC production and emerging manufacturing technologies to specialist fabrication and customer-led workshop engineering, local employers offer a wide range of exciting career routes.
Matt Jones, Course Leader for Level 2 Engineering, said:
“Visits like this are a vital part of preparing students for industry. We would like to thank Martin Prosser, Director at Rexmar Engineering Ltd, for organising the visit and continuing to support the next generation of engineers.
“Over the years, Rexmar has taken on apprentices and offered work experience to others, helping students make the step from college into industry. We have also seen students progress successfully into apprenticeships and build careers with other local employers because they have had access to opportunities like this and the chance to meet engineers who are doing the job every day.
“Rexmar and Progressive Technology Group are just two of the companies that have stepped up to give this year’s cohort a fantastic insight into specialist, hands-on engineering. They have shown students that there is no single route into the sector, and that there are many exciting opportunities available across the Thames Valley.”
The Level 2 Engineering (Machining) programme at Newbury College helps students develop essential skills in precision machining through practical workshop experience and theory. It prepares learners for progression into the engineering industry, including apprenticeships in machining and manufacturing.
Newbury College and University Centre Newbury are committed to “Careers, not courses”, working closely with employers to provide the skills, knowledge and experience needed by the local economy. The engineering curriculum supports learners from Level 2 through to degree level, including the BEng (Hons) Engineering Design Degree, awarded by Bournemouth University, with pathways for apprentices and employed learners.
Through strong employer partnerships, industry visits, apprenticeships and higher-level study, Newbury College and UCN continue to play an essential role in the engineering talent pipeline for the Thames Valley.
To find out more about Engineering at Newbury College, visit newbury-college.ac.uk/engineering