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  3. College producing vital PPE for frontline NHS staff
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Northumberland College Logo

College producing vital PPE for frontline NHS staff

April 21, 2020
An engineering student in a workshop at Northumberland College.

Engineering & Manufacturing

There are lots of exciting possibilities for you in the world of engineering!

Read more

Northumberland College has responded to the urgent need for personal protection equipment by producing face shields for health care workers in the fight against COVID-19.

Electrical engineering lecturer Freeman Thondhlana has been working around the clock at Ashington Campus to manufacture PPE after the college offered use of its 3D printers to Northumberland County Council. They will also be distributed to Northumberland and Wansbeck Hospitals to keep front line staff and patients safe during the outbreak.

Freeman, who has manufactured 70 visors so far, said: “Northumberland College is an important part of the community so when opportunity presented itself to produce the visors I did not hesitate to volunteer. 

“It’s an honour to give my knowledge, skills and time to the local community for a worthy cause. I hope manufacturing the visors, no matter the scale, will inspire our community and most importantly help relieve some of the stress our health care system is facing. 

“I also want to show our students that all industries are as important as each other and can work together.” 

County Councillor Wayne Daley, cabinet member with responsibility for children’s services said: “I applaud the team at Northumberland College who are reaching out to help during this crisis. 

“It is wonderful to see schools and colleges rising to the challenge to create this vital equipment for people on the frontline of the fight against COVID-19.  Their efforts to make protective equipment and help keep key workers safe are just extraordinary.” 

In response to a phenomenal and unprecedented need for equipment the government has provided 761 million pieces of PPE across the UK’s hospitals, hospices, care homes, home care providers, GPs, pharmacists and dentists since the COVID-19 outbreak, which includes 158 million surgical masks and medical visors. 

With a continuing surge in demand, universities, colleges, schools and community volunteers have joined with the manufacturing industry to produce additional PPE for front line workers and carers. 

Investing in your future with outstanding new facilities.

 

Why choose Northumberland College?

We are the largest further education provider in Northumberland with campuses throughout the county.

Our student transport scheme is available for eligible students to make getting to and from college as easy as possible.

Our extensive re-development programme will create outstanding new facilities.

Our courses Experience the vibe

College updates

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  • College supports Merit’s commitment to workforce development

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  • New Engineering and Manufacturing Industry Lead for college

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    July 29, 2021

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  • Regional Welding and Fabrication Training Centre announced

    An innovative partnership is to establish welding and fabrication training centre at Port of Blyth.

    July 15, 2021

    Read more
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