Vericut software has become the industry standard for simulating CNC machining
Recent investment in Vericut verification, simulation and optimisation software is helping apprentices at Gloucestershire Engineering Training (G.E.T.) advance their skills in CNC machining to even higher levels of achievement. This progressive training specialist says the introduction of Vericut even prompted the first cohort of learners to share their positive feedback with the organisation’s CEO, requesting the software remains part of the curriculum and undergoes further integration moving forward.
Designing and delivering engineering training for large and small employers since 1977, G.E.T. has its headquarters and main facility in Gloucester, supported by a satellite site at nearby Cinderford.
“Our apprenticeship programs and commercial training courses are tailored to suit the needs of both industry and individual learners,” states Training & Maintenance Manager Jake Weatherley, who looks after the machining curriculum. “This means our learners are work-ready from the minute they finish training. We also operate as part of the GTA England training network, sharing best practice and helping to develop apprenticeships and curriculums.”
An independent training provider and registered charity with 52 members of staff, the current academic year (2025/26) saw GET take on another 164 Level 3/Level 4 apprentices. All have positions at companies within GET’s rapidly expanding network of 100+ employers.
Fired up for progress
“We first met with Vericut in 2023, and it really opened our eyes. We instantly saw the software’s potential,” says Jake. “We had always taught CNC as G-code programming, typing codes into Notepad and then transferring to the machine and watching a 2D toolpath simulation. However, it’s often difficult for learners to visualise what the machine and cutter are doing. Vericut, with its complete digital model of the machine and its set-up, brings machining to life. It’s a huge benefit for our learners.”
Vericut features the most accurate collision checking routine on the market, no matter how complex the NC program. Rather than simply checking points along a path, the software checks the entire travel motion by sweeping through space.
“I can recall from my own training many years ago that I once bumped the chuck on a CNC machine,” reveals Jake. “I missed one line of code to send the tool home. The turret indexed round and clipped the chuck jaws. That was the last and only time I crashed a CNC machine, but it was a frightening experience.”
He continues: “Vericut provides a fantastic safety net. We are teaching machining to young learners, which is quite a big responsibility. Checking every line of every learner’s program before it runs on the machine is intense. Vericut not only provides confidence in safe programs, but it also gives me more time to spend with learners rather than checking code. The simulation quickly shows if there are any collisions and were.”
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