Manufacturers back apprenticeships as In-Comm Training welcomes another full cohort

One of the West Midlands leading training providers has welcomed its latest cohort of 130 apprentices, as local manufacturers continue to place their faith in vocational learning.

In-Comm Training, which offers more than 60,000 sq ft of dedicated space at its training academy in Aldridge and across the Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology (MCMT) sites in Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury, is now training over 550 young people studying towards their mechatronics, machining, tool making, welding and production operative apprenticeships.

100 different companies – including Caterpillar, Torus, Gestamp and Doncasters – are the latest firms to let their young talent benefit from the company’s array of new technology and equipment, ranging from CNC machines and metrology, through to fluid power systems, welding bays and robotics.

Bosses at the state-of-the-art training centres have stated that this is just the start, with 70 additional apprentice places up for grabs between now and the end of November, with further cohorts planned during the remainder of the next nine months.

“The appetite for full and part-time apprenticeships has never been higher in the West Midlands, despite national figures suggesting otherwise,” explained Gareth Jones, Managing Director of In-Comm Training.

“Local companies recognise the importance of giving their young people the best possible training and in-depth learning experience, so when they go full-time they will have the biggest possible impact.”

He continued: “We also very work closely with employers to make sure we match them with the individuals that best suit their needs. This is an important starting point and, when you combine this with over £5m of technology and industry-led training, it’s not difficult to see why we have reached all of our targets.

“The demand is definitely there and that’s why we have decided to open up a new cohort for November…now we need firms to come forward and take advantage of it.”

In-Comm Training, which is rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, has earned significant praise for the way it is continually innovating the ‘skills offers’ for businesses.

In the last month, UTC Aerospace has become the first company to sign up to its Business Administration Level 3 trailblazer course, whilst firms can now access Team Leader/Supervisor Level 3 and Departmental Manager Level 5 Trailblazer apprenticeships.

January 2018 will also see the launch of the engineering operative standard, which will meet the market demand for foundation engineering skills.

Gareth concluded: “Apprenticeships are just part of the offer. We also have a brief to deliver bite size courses and in-depth training to local employers keen to offer specialist development opportunities for employees.

“It’s all about bridging the skills and competency gaps we face, not only in the West Midlands but the UK as a whole.” 

For further information, please visit 108.128.187.227 or follow @incomm_training on twitter.If you are an employer or potential apprentice, please get in touch with the team on sales@in-comm.co.uk