At a presentation to mark his retirement, Head of Engineering department at the College, Gordon Kane said that Jimmy’s vision, support and encouragement had helped many young people to complete their training and go on secure well paid jobs in the engineering sector.
He explained that Jimmy’s long association with engineering staff and students at the College dates back to 1998 and the merger of the College with Ballymena Training Centre.
“Jimmy and other company representatives met with the then principal to discuss how the College could support the training requirements of the local manufacturing industry. This was the beginning of a long and mutually beneficial relationship between the College and Langford Lodge to improve our students’ employability.”
Mr Kane said: “Jimmy continually looked for ways to deliver the company’s training requirements within the College structure and he was instrumental in the introduction of off-the-job training for company apprentices.
“We relied on his input when we were purchasing new CNC machinery for the department, equipment that was subsequently used for the intensive 13 Week (Off-the-Job) Fast Track CNC training programmes at Farm Lodge campus.”
In recent years, the College worked in partnership with Langford Lodge to deliver the CNC Milling Academy under the Assured Skills Programme.
The strong working partnership between Langford Lodge and College was recognised when the College was won a National Training Award for its Design/Delivery Partnership with the company.
Wishing Jimmy a long a happy retirement, Mr Kane said the Engineering department at the College will always be most appreciative of Jimmy’s expert advice and insight.
“Jimmy was a strong advocate of the Higher Level Apprenticeship in Advanced Manufacturing and a valued member of the Advanced Manufacturing Sectorial Partnership for many years. For the past three years, he was one of judges at the Rotary Club Schools’ Technology Tournament which is hosted by the College and we look forward to his continued support and involvement in the competition.”