Students spend more time in the work place

Kirklees College and the Calderdale and Kirklees Manufacturing Alliance (CKMA) already deliver a successful engineering apprenticeship programme.

But many employers were frustrated that the majority of students spent their first months in full-time study before joining the firms on a part-time basis.

After working with the college to come up with a more workable solution, CKMA is now promoting a new CNC engineering apprenticeship.

It involves students spending three days in the workplace from the start of the course – enabling them to be integrated into the business from the start.

The students will also study at the college for two days a week.

CKMA chairman Gary Smith said the new scheme would help boost business in the district.

“We wanted to provide better training for young people and help meet the needs of our members,” he said.

“In another 10 years a lot of us will leave and it is important we act now to attract fresh talent into the manufacturing environment.

“Most of the equipment used these days has some sort of computer control and for a lot of staff that is not our era.

“These are just some of the areas young people can prove to be valuable assets to our members.”

The students will be fully tested to the required standard in maths, English and IT before starting the course.

They will go on to be trained in running and maintaining CNC machinery, drawing skills, manual handling and health and safety to NVQ Level 2.

The apprenticeship scheme will begin at the end of the month.

Contact Andy Roberts on [email protected] or call 01484 437026.