Wolverhampton College - Polymer Training & Innovation Centre (PTIC)

Centre of Excellence for Polymers

PTIC was created when the City of Wolverhampton College (CoWC) purchased the assets of Polymer Training Ltd, a former training provider based in Telford. This organisation had supported the needs of the various polymer industries since it was created as an Industry Training Board in 1970. As part of this process, several former PTL members of staff were recruited to work in the new PTIC business unit.

Our Innovation Centre, also in Telford, contains injection moulding, blow moulding, thermoforming and testing equipment used to support training course delivery. Training course content has been designed to cover different candidate needs and levels of prior knowledge. Many include pre and post course testing to quantify the improvements gained as part of the process.

As part of CoWC, PTIC can often support staff development projects by means of external funding - particularly in the case of NVQs or Apprenticeships. Our range of programmes can also be delivered in-company, where specific tooling/materials/equipment issues need to be included.

Businesses today wish to be shown how to improve their manufacturing operations by people who have been there and done it themselves. Our Technical Advisors, although holding academic qualifications themselves, have also done their own apprenticeship in industry before joining PTIC. Through activity here, they have expanded their own personal knowledge and can offer support which will result in short, medium and long term business improvements.