Member Article

ECITB course helps build skills in engineering

Aspiring engineers across Teesside are being given further opportunities to develop the basic skills of their future trade.

Redcar and Cleveland College and NETA Training Group in Stockton are among a handful of training providers from England and Wales chosen to deliver the unique course launched to offset the drop in apprenticeships offered across the country.

Tom Entwistle, engineering lecturer at Redcar and Cleveland College, said: “The programme offers the chance for young learners to gain both the theoretical knowledge and practical experience to improve their chances of moving on to a full apprenticeship.”

He said, with the one year course effectively equating to the first year of a level 3 apprenticeship, it will benefit both the students and future employers.

This year the ECITB has committed to support more than 150 young people nationally to take the Introduction to Engineering Construction (ITEC) course, which will be delivered by 11 selected colleges and training providers.

First launched by the ECITB as a pilot project in 2015 the scheme is already helping engineering construction employers to recruit new talent.

Tom said: “For the employers it reduces the risk as the students are a year older, they are more mature and already have that all-important first year under their belt.”

The ITEC course gives learners 10 months of training, a recognised industry level 3 knowledge qualification, a level 2 practical qualification together with a Health and Safety Passport (CCNSG).

With work experience a key part of the programme, it also offers the opportunity to benefit from real-world work experience and develop hands-on skills in a variety of engineering disciplines.

NETA Training’s strategic business development co-ordinator Dave Thompson said: “We are delighted to be working with the ECITB and this is further recognition of the great things that are happening at NETA.

“To have multiple providers chosen to deliver the course in the Tees Valley gives a positive message to employers and shows that there are opportunities here.”

With Redcar and Cleveland College selected to deliver the course for the second consecutive year, lecturer Tom said: “To be chosen as one of the first round of partners shows that the ECITB has faith in us and recognise the quality of our training provision. The fact that they have now returned to us for a second year is further testament to that.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Marie Turbill .