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Prudhoe-based ‘Velvet’ toilet tissue manufacturer announces new training partner

SCA in Prudhoe, which manufactures the popular ‘Velvet’ brand of family toilet tissue, has announced a new training partner.

Gateshead College has been tasked with delivering on SCA’s commitment to train 41 apprentices this year. This is the company’s largest apprentice cohort to date, with trainees at various stages in the company’s four-year apprenticeship programme.

The training scheme is a combination of practical workshops and classroom-based theory sessions designed to provide a blend of workplace learning and industry masterclasses.

On completion, apprentices achieve industry-recognised qualifications in manufacturing and electrical engineering with the opportunity to pursue higher education qualifications also funded by SCA.

Ian Callender, SCA training officer, said: “In a highly competitive industry like ours with a very experienced team, cultivating young manufacturing talent is key to our workforce development plans. Following the decision to increase apprentice recruitment levels, we reviewed the theoretical and work-based training elements to ensure they were fully aligned to the needs of the business going forward.

“We are delighted to appoint Gateshead College as our training and assessment provider. They have a great deal of experience in the sector. At SCA we aren’t just seeking to fill vacancies; we take a long-term approach to growing, inspiring and training the business and engineering leaders of tomorrow to develop more young talent in the region. Indeed, many of our lead operators on site today began their careers through the apprenticeship scheme.”

Gateshead College is contracted to provide training and assessment for SCA apprentices to achieve Apprenticeship or Advanced Apprenticeship qualifications.

Barbara Wilson, business development manager at Gateshead College, said: “We have worked closely in partnership with SCA to design a programme which specifically meets their business needs and are now delivering training that will equip the company with the skills they need to take the business forward.

“We’ve helped dozens of North East employers address their training needs and we’re proud to be playing a major role in making these companies more competitive and boosting the local economy, while supporting talented young people to secure sustainable careers.”

Since its launch in 2004, SCA has provided paid education and training to over 100 apprentices in either an operational or technical role, with the vast majority now employed on site.

Last year the company was named ‘Large Employer of the Year’ at the North East National Apprenticeship Awards 2014 and a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer in the UK.

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