Young engineers in Newton Aycliffe will next week join a national celebration of the value, benefit and opportunity that apprenticeships bring.
South West Durham Training is taking part in the 17th annual National Apprenticeship Week (February 5th-11th), a campaign highlighting the positive impact of apprenticeships on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.
This year’s theme is ‘Skills for Life’ – how apprenticeships can help young people develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career and employers to develop a workforce with future-ready skills.
And 55 years after its first apprentices qualified at the same site on the Aycliffe Industrial Estate, SWDT is still training the young engineers of the future.
Jamie Heslop, from Newton Aycliffe, is one of the current crop of trainees learning their trade at the centre. The 18-year-old, former Greenfield Academy student, is a Fabrication & Welding Apprentice at Fire-Tech Engineering in Newton Aycliffe.
Jamie secured his apprenticeship after a successful work trial with the Aycliffe Business Park-based fire-resistant glazing systems fabrication company last year, while studying his Level 2 Diploma in Engineering Operations at SWDT.
He said: “I was over the moon to be offered an apprenticeship following one year of training. During my course I was given the opportunity of a work placement at Teescraft Engineering in Bishop Auckland, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
“Nearing completion of my studies, I then began a work trial at Fire-Tech Engineering which opened the doors to an apprenticeship with the company.
“My day-to-day role involves welding, guillotine work, fitting up and preparation work which I really enjoy. I have continued my studies with SWDT, attending one day per week, so I have the best of both worlds by earning and learning at the same time.”
SWDT is part of the Bishop Auckland College Group, which offers apprenticeship opportunities across a range of workforce areas also including business administration, joinery, early years, hairdressing, motor vehicle, painting and decorating and teaching assistants. Full-time courses in engineering and plumbing are also available.
• Open events are being held from 5pm to 7pm on Thursday February 15th at Bishop Auckland College’s main campus at Woodhouse Lane, Bishop Auckland and SWDT’s training centre on Durham Way South. For more information visit bacoll.ac.uk and swdt.co.uk