Welding academy aiming to fill skills shortage

The search is on for budding welders from across South Derry and Mid Ulster.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Feb 2022, 07:00 BST
Updated 19th Feb 2022, 13:56 BST
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The Welding Academy at North West Regional College’s (NWRC) Greystone Campus in Limavady is working with companies across the area including SDC, Crossland Tankers, McAuley Trailers, and KT Trucks.

The Welding Academy, which is funded by the Department for the Economy Assured Skills Programme, will give 12 people the opportunity to develop key welding skills over seven weeks, which includes two weeks placement with employers.

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Sinead Milligan is the Academy Coordinator for North West Regional College. She said: “The Welding Academy is an incredible opportunity for people who would like to develop a career in welding and fabrication with companies across the North Coast.

Members of NWRC's Business Support Team are encouraging people to apply for a new Welding Academy at NWRC Greystone. From left are Marc McGerty, Business Development Executive, Sinead Milligan, Business Development Executive and Sinead Hawkins, Business Skills Manager.Members of NWRC's Business Support Team are encouraging people to apply for a new Welding Academy at NWRC Greystone. From left are Marc McGerty, Business Development Executive, Sinead Milligan, Business Development Executive and Sinead Hawkins, Business Skills Manager.
Members of NWRC's Business Support Team are encouraging people to apply for a new Welding Academy at NWRC Greystone. From left are Marc McGerty, Business Development Executive, Sinead Milligan, Business Development Executive and Sinead Hawkins, Business Skills Manager.

“You don’t have to be an experienced welder to come on the academy, although having some industrial experience and a passion for engineering, fabrication, and welding will definitely help you secure one of the twelve spots.

“On the seven week programme participants will receive £155 per week training allowance, travel expenses and, where eligible, assistance with childcare costs, which helps applicants overcome any obstacles.”

Opportunity

Barry McDaid, Curriculum Manager, NWRC Greystone, added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for new fresh talent to progress in the industry by addressing the skills shortage. Welding skills are in high demand in our local engineering and manufacturing sector and these Assured Skills Academies will help equip participants with these skills, through an industry-recognised qualification, and position them very strongly to kick-start a new career in welding.”

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“This Academy at NWRC Greystone Campus follows on from previous successful Collaborative Welding Academies delivered over the past year and are part of a wider delivery of welding training at further education colleges and companies across Northern Ireland. This collaborative approach will enable as many participants as possible to gain valuable skills and on successful completion receive a Level 2 City & Guilds welding qualification thus giving them a great opportunity to pursue a rewarding career in the engineering sector.”

The Welding Academy will start on Monday March 21 and conclude on Friday May 6. The online application form must be completed by 12.00 noon on Friday, February 25. For more information and details on how to apply visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/assured-skills

Related topics:NWRCLimavady

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