Member Article

£235,000 investment delivers world class training academy for In-Comm

A leading training provider is reinforcing its commitment to delivering the best possible apprentice and vocational skills in the West Midlands by making a major investment in its Aldridge-based academy.

In-Comm Training and Business Services has spent over £235,000 on installing a new hydraulics and pneumatics section and a live components board that provides real-life scenarios for budding maintenance and sector specific engineers.

It has installed a six bay welding section with TIG/MIG/ARC ‘Miller’ welding equipment, not to mention the acquisition of ‘ONE CNC’ and ‘Heidenhain’ CAD/CAM training simulation packages.

The firm has also built a dedicated 150 square metre Forklift Truck Centre across the road from its academy in Aldridge. This will provide RTITB accredited training for more than 250 people every year in counterbalance, narrow aisle, reach and mobile elevated work platforms.

“Our workshop is now one of the best equipped in the region,” explained Gareth Jones, Operations Director for In-Comm Training and Business Services.

“Industry knowledge and the professionals we employ have always been big selling points with clients and we genuinely believe these new facilities will strengthen existing relationships and hopefully lead to new opportunities.

“This investment – believed to the biggest in more than a decade – will help us offer training to more apprentices and adult learners than ever before and puts us in a perfect position to develop individuals for work in the automotive, aerospace, high value manufacturing and medical sectors.”

He went on to add: “This is already working, with £250,000 of new contracts secured.”

In-Comm has been offering industry and commerce a wide range of training and business solutions for more than 33 years.

This includes support in management development, health and safety, quality assurances, Investors in People, business improvement techniques, lean manufacturing and specific skills courses.

The firm also has a proven track record of developing engineering Apprentices through its range of specialist packages that are tailored to meet customer needs.

This includes staggered start apprenticeship programmes, training delivered at the client’s site and intensive learning at In-Comm’s academy.

“Last year we increased our numbers on vocational courses and Apprenticeships by 50% and nearly 25% respectively,” continued Gareth.

He concluded: “2014 will be another milestone year for us and the investment in equipment and hiring the right trainers will build on recent growth and contribute towards bridging the skills gap in our sector.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Russ Cockburn .