The Training of the Shrew
A new training academy aimed at launching the careers of engineering and manufacturing apprentices is being expanded from the Black Country into Shropshire.
In-Comm Training and Business Services has formed a partnership with Shrewsbury based Salop Design & Engineering to establish a training academy in Shropshire aimed at launching the careers of engineering and manufacturing apprentices.
Salop are converting part of their factory into a training centre that will cater for around 40 apprentices a year for local manufacturing businesses. It comes as part of a long run of investments in the Shropshire business, which has now spent more than £2 million on its plant in Brixton Way in the last three years.
The initiative will allow manufacturers to address the skills shortage and succession planning requirements as they seek to support other major investments in the county.
In-Comm's new Managing Director Gareth Jones said: "There is continued investment particularly from aerospace and automotive manufacturers in the region and whilst this is good news, there is a danger that it will have an impact on the supply chain if we can't offer the skills locally to support an innovative and sustainable industrial future."
Salop Design Director Chris Greenough added that the new centre will help meet a skills gap for engineers and manufacturers: As the Chairman of Made In The Midlands I speak to a lot of manufacturing groups, and everybody is saying the skills gap is what is stopping their business from growing. Were looking to buck the trend.
In-Comm will employ three or four trainers at the site once it is ready for launch in August. Apprentices from companies in the local area will spend three days a week in work, and two studying with on-the-job facilities at Salop Design. They already employs three apprentices, and has committed to employing two more as part of the academy.
Both companies are investing their futures. In-Comm are currently finishing an expansion of their site that will increase capacity for learners and their access to their industry standard equipment.
In-Comm are currently finishing an expansion of their Aldridge site that will increase capacity for learners and their access to their industry standard equipment. Last year they spent more than £235,000 on installing a new hydraulics and pneumatics section and a live components board that provides real-life scenarios for budding maintenance and sector specific engineers.
Peter Lauener the CEO of the Skills Funding Agency recently advocated In-Comm as one of three successful training providers in his speech at a national conference based on their growth and positive impact linked to one the SFA's key policies of creating more apprentices.
Gareth concluded: This collaboration will create a skilled workforce in the county and truly extols the virtues of partnership working. We have strong links with Salop Design and at the moment they are sending their apprentices on a one hundred mile round trip as they couldnt access the training and support they needed in Shropshire. We cant wait to get started.
To find out you can train your workforce call 01922 457686 or visit www.in-comm.co.uk