Perkins Boosts Peterborough Manufacturing Training Centre

Professionals don’t just learn the tricks of the trade — they learn the trade. For nearly 80s years, Perkins Engines has been perfecting the design and trade skills of machine engines. As a leading supplier of off-highway diesel and gas engines around the world, in the 5- to 2,600-hp market, Perkins’ key strength is its ability to tailor engines precisely to meet customers’ requirements.

The company continues to push the limits of the engine trade further with the Perkins Engines’ Learning Centre at the company’s headquarters in Peterborough, England, which has just received a $1.370 million funding boost to enable the company to expand the facility and extend its skills offering.

The East of England Development Agency (EEDA), supported by the Government Office for the East of England (GO-East), announced the funding for the expansion of the Perkins Learning Centre at

the Peterborough facility in July. The center will be able to train a greater number of people in cutting-edge production techniques and help increase the productivity of more of the region’s businesses.

The award follows Perkins’ decision to invest $64 million in its production facilities at Peterborough. “Perkins has demonstrated a significant commitment to keeping and growing our manufacturing capability in this region,” said Hans Haefeli, president of Perkins Engines “Our aim is to drive up productivity, quality and profitability while taking research, development and process engineering to new levels.

“This will have enormous implications for us in respect of skills, both now and in the future. Through this partnership initiative and use of our world-class learning center, we can effectively address skills needs in a structured manner.”  

The $1.370 million grant from EEDA will create an expanded high-tech, in-industry training facility, which will include a virtual reality modeling suite to simulate shop floor conditions and aim to train 6,500 people from Peterborough and the East of England over three years.