Staffordshire NDT specialists make long-term commitment to local youth with apprenticeships
20/01/2022
Stafford-based non-destructive testing (NDT) engineering company PTS Group has pledged its ongoing commitment to training local people with specialist technical skills. The company approached Skills Training UK with a desire to embed NDT apprenticeships in its workforce strategy and has benefited from government apprenticeship co-funding of 95% to drive apprenticeships forward. 
The company offers a full range of NDT inspection disciplines, specialist consulting and welding engineering services across the steel industry in both the UK and Europe. All long-term and new employees are being given the opportunity to upskill through the Level 3 NDT Engineering Technician and Level 6 NDT Engineer degree apprenticeships, which are delivered through a combination of on-the-job training and academic study. There are currently six employees enrolled on the apprenticeship scheme, with two having completed the training.
“It’s success that benefits everyone, leads to full-time employment for local youth and future-proofs the company,” said Ed Roe, Managing Director and Co-Owner of PTS.
Although PTS has been offering internal apprenticeship programmes for several years, its focus has turned to young people in the local area who may have not yet chosen a vocation or career.
Steve Baldwin, Technical Director and Co-Owner of PTS, is keen to give school leavers an alternative to more traditional routes, through university or college, with the opportunity to carve out a career in NDT and gain a qualification on the scheme.
He said: “The apprenticeship scheme with Skills Training UK ties everything we do together, allowing our employees to study the technical side of engineering while they work. Local people can reach their full potential and embark on a positive career within NDT, whatever their background.”
NDT Operator Tom Bates has recently completed the Level 3 Engineering Technician apprenticeship, achieving a distinction and becoming the second person to complete the course at PTS.
Tom said: “Before I started working at PTS and got onto the apprenticeship, I wasn’t confident and felt apprehensive. The course has given me so much more confidence because of the combination of academic learning and on-the-job training; it was a really positive experience and I have the opportunity to gain further levels in the future. I’m a completely different person now.”
As a leading provider of materials testing apprenticeships, and winning ‘Apprenticeship Programme of the Year’ at the TES FE Awards last year, Skills Training UK’s integrated programmes offer a cost-effective solution to upskilling and recruitment, working closely with the employer, specialist training provider and the apprentice.
After working at PTS for more than ten years, Adam Bates took the opportunity to gain new skills with a Level 6 NDT Engineer degree apprenticeship. He said: “Being able to complete a degree-level qualification that’s recognised internationally, while continuing to work and still balance family life, is so rare. It’s given me a solid background knowledge of all areas of non-destructive testing to support my day-to-day role as Quality and Health & Safety Manager, plus advanced techniques.”
The NDT Level 2 and 3 apprenticeships cover product technology, engineering, inspection techniques and health and safety. This teaching is delivered by expert trainers through a combination of project and portfolio showcases and an observational interview. The Level 6 degree-equivalent apprenticeship builds further on this knowledge base with advanced NDT techniques, including corrosion analysis, thermographic testing and vibration analysis.
Steve Baldwin added: “The Skills Training UK apprenticeship programme is now so embedded in our company ethos that those who have completed the course can recommend and support others, whether they’re fresh out of school or looking to upskill. It takes away the fear factor of earning an NDT qualification and what’s involved.”
www.ptsgroup.co.uk/about
www.skillstraininguk.com
