Skills Training UK partners with University of Northampton for NDT Engineer degree apprenticeship
01/10/2018
Skills Training UK, a leading training provider for non-destructive testing (NDT) apprenticeships, has announced the launch of a Level 6 NDT Engineer apprenticeship degree in partnership with the University of Northampton.The Level 6 NDT Engineer apprenticeship degree will be an opportunity for employers across science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) sectors to upskill senior staff with the latest NDT industry qualifications.
The launch took place at the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing’s (BINDT’s) annual conference for NDT professionals, NDT 2018, which was held from 10-12 September in Nottingham, UK.Stephen Crawley, Chief Operating Officer at Skills Training UK, said: “We are delighted to be working with the university to launch one of our first degree-level apprenticeships and offer yet another innovative training solution to support the engineering workforce.
“We know from our work within the sector that the NDT community has an ageing workforce and that there is a growing skills gap.
“The NDT Engineer degree apprenticeship addresses this challenge and is an exciting opportunity to deliver training of the highest possible standard so that the next generation of NDT specialists have the appropriate skills desired by employers.”
Last year, Skills Training UK announced its corporate membership of BINDT and launched a Level 2 NDT Operator apprenticeship programme and a Level 3 Engineering Technician apprenticeship programme, working with specialist NDT partner Lavender International.
The training provider has since partnered with several leading specialist NDT training schools from across the UK, offering flexibility for employers looking to upskill their workforce and recruit young NDT talent.
The Level 6 NDT Engineer apprenticeship degree will be delivered through a combination of on-the-job training and e-learning, using the University of Northampton’s innovative online training platform.
Abdeldjalil Bennecer, Senior NDT Lecturer at the University of Northampton, said: “We are pleased to be working with Skills Training UK to offer this unique opportunity for NDT and STEM-sector employers to upskill their staff to a degree level within their workplaces.”
On completion of the apprenticeship, NDT Engineer apprentices will hold a degree (BSc NDT or BEng NDT) that is approved by BINDT as meeting the requirements of the NDT Engineer apprenticeship.
NDT engineers are among the most senior NDT staff within an organisation and are often responsible for overseeing all NDT operations, including the preparation of work plans and NDT procedures for other staff to work to. NDT engineers use their acquired knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable NDT systems to operate safely, efficiently and in an environmentally sustainable way, meeting the requirements set out by the employer and those of the professional body.
NDT engineers maintain and manage applications of current and developing technology and undertake engineering design and development within manufacturing, construction and operations.EDF Energy is one of the first employers to sign up to the new apprenticeship scheme. Steven Meikle, from EDF Energy’s Structural Integrity Branch, accompanied the first EDF Energy NDT Engineer apprentice, Jack Bryant, to NDT 2018.
Steve said: “We have followed the NDT apprenticeships for some time and are very excited to be getting involved with the new NDT Engineer degree apprenticeship programme with Skills Training UK.”
Skills Training UK works with both levy-paying and small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) employers and in the past year has enrolled over 80 apprentices onto its NDT apprenticeship programmes.
Roger Lyon, Project Manager for BINDT apprenticeship schemes, said: “As one of the lead apprenticeship providers, Skills Training UK has been very proactive and has successfully partnered with several specialist NDT training schools in the past year.
“This new partnership with the University of Northampton to offer the NDT Engineer apprenticeship degree will mean further flexibility for employers looking to upskill their staff with relevant NDT qualifications and skills, which will no doubt have a lasting effect on the workforce and the industry.”
www.skillstraininguk.com
