Barnsley College launches new non-destructive testing apprenticeships
03/07/2017
Barnsley College is working with industry expert Lavender International to launch two new government-funded apprenticeships for the nondestructive testing sector.
The Level 2 Non-Destructive Testing Operator apprenticeship and the Level 3 Non-Destructive Testing Engineering Technician apprenticeship have been developed by employers within the industry. Supported by the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing, these apprenticeships will allow new and existing employees to gain a recognised qualification in the profession.
Barnsley College is at the forefront of the delivery of the apprenticeship standard and is one of the first training providers within the UK to deliver the specialist training. The college’s first apprentice, Jonathan Young, is employed at Severfield, based in Thirsk, and enrolled onto the programme in February 2017.
Jonathan said: “I was completing a Level 3 welding course when I first found out about NDT. I knew straight away that this was what I wanted to do. I learned how respected the role was within the industry and that really appealed to me.
“The apprenticeship includes a Level 3 in Management and Leadership Skills, but it’s being on site that I really enjoy the most, shadowing my mentors and watching and learning as I go.”
Ellis Farrelly, Quality and Responsible Welding Coordinator at Severfield, explained why apprenticeships are vital to the industry: “The arrival of the company’s first-ever NDT trainee is really exciting and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
“Training new talent in this expanding sector is critical. Apprenticeships are massively important to our continuity as it’s the best way we can transfer knowledge and ensure that skills remain within our business.”
The apprenticeship is delivered jointly by Barnsley College and Lavender International, a Penistone-based global brand for NDT training, exams and consultancy services. The majority of the training is delivered on site at the employer’s premises and will take 36 months to complete. The new funding regulations
that are now in place mean that the training is fully funded if the apprentice is between 16-18 years of age or, if the apprentice is 19 years of age or older, a 10% employer contribution (£1,800) is required.
Anne Griggs, Head of External Funding, Contracts and Partnerships at Barnsley College, said: “We are very excited to announce our partnership with Lavender International and to launch this new apprenticeship standard. This collaboration allows the college to expand its range of business training and to support employers in this specialist industry to gain recognised qualifications.”
Sam Cunningham, Business Development Manager at Lavender International, stated: “After years of hard work and NDT employer input, we are proud to be working with a local college to deliver these pioneering apprenticeships. As a trailblazer for the industry, we are committed to providing training and development to our own employees and to customers worldwide.”
Barnsley College is the top apprenticeship provider in South Yorkshire, working with over 1500 employers and offering over 80 apprenticeship frameworks. The college is rated
outstanding by Ofsted and the latest government figures show that it is the most successful general further education college in its region.
www.barnsley.ac.uk/employers
www.lavender-ndt.com
