New partnership with TWI fills skills gap with NDT apprenticeships

01/05/2018

Independent training provider Skills Training UK has teamed up with TWI (The Welding Institute), a global leader in technology and engineering, to provide specialist apprenticeships training in the materials testing sector, helping to address a growing skills gap and encourage more young people into the industry.

The partnership will see non-destructive testing (NDT) apprenticeships training delivered through a combination of classroom, online and practical learning at TWI’s training facilities in Cambridge.
In addition to the skills and experience offered through the apprenticeships, apprentices who complete their training will receive an internationally recognised Level 2 PCN or CSWIP certificate provided by TWI Certification Ltd.

Last year, Skills Training UK launched two apprenticeship training programmes for the Level 2 NDT Operator and Level 3 NDT Engineering Technician apprenticeships, both focusing on internationally recognised NDT qualifications.

Skills Training UK and TWI hope their new partnership will drive up standards in the industry and encourage more young people to pursue a career in materials testing, as well as helping to upskill existing workforces.

TWI has already enrolled 20-year-old Efan Jones onto Skills Training UK’s Level 3 NDT Engineering Technician apprenticeship training programme and is expecting significant interest from members and the wider materials testing community.

Stephen Crawley, Skills Director at Skills Training UK, said: “We are excited to announce our partnership with TWI, who will be at the forefront of delivery for our NDT apprenticeship training programmes.

“Since launching the training programmes six months ago, we have had significant industry interest, which has led to over 70 apprentice starts in a range of sectors, from aerospace and automotive through to utilities and  manufacturing.

“We know from our work within the sector that the NDT community has an ageing workforce and that there is a growing skills gap. Our partnership with TWI will address this and deliver training of the highest possible standard so that the next generation of NDT specialists have the appropriate skills desired by employers.”

Shervin Maleki, TWI’s Associate Director of Global Training and Technical Services, said: “As an organisation we are committed to contributing towards individual career development and the opening up of opportunities at all age levels.

“The new NDT apprenticeship agreement with Skills Training UK provides a great platform for those who dream of pursuing their future career path in this field and we are excited to offer this to our members and employers within the sector.”

Skills Training UK, a corporate member of the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (BINDT), designs and delivers bespoke apprenticeship training programmes for both larger employers that pay the apprenticeship levy and smaller SMEs, offering a tailored approach that aligns with workforce development  goals.

It has a proven track record of improving productivity and enhancing the skills and confidence of employees in STEM sectors.

www.skillstraininguk.com/materials-testing

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