iMET opens doors to welcome composite technician apprentices

CiMNov18News - imet
CiMNov18News - imet

iMET has opened its doors to welcome the first cohort of Composite Technician Apprentices at its new multi-million pound Advanced Training facility at Alconbury Weald.

The new Composites Apprenticeship has been developed through the close collaboration between iMET and local business Codem Composites along with National Composites Centre to tailor the training curriculum to meet the specialised needs of the composites industry.

The first cohort comprises ten first year apprentices from both Codem Composites and also TRB Lightweight Structures and over the three-year course, will equip the students with a BTEC qualification, an NVQ qualification, and will prepare the students to apply for their initial professional qualification; EngTech.

To mark the occasion, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayor, James Palmer visited iMET to see first-hand how the apprentices were being given the skills that will help them further their careers.

“To see the apprentices already at work is fantastic and what’s exciting is that this is just the start. The UK has a significant productivity challenge, and the Combined Authority is committed to a skills agenda that offers real solutions for the local economy, with iMET a prime example,” stated Mayor Palmer.

There is a significant cluster of composite businesses in Cambridgeshire, many of whom struggle to recruit staff with the required skills. The creation of the Composites Technician apprenticeship at iMET is a unique opportunity to put the area at the forefront of composites manufacture and therefore grow the local economy.

“iMET’s innovative training approach is truly industry led, ensuring that our advanced engineering programmes are tailored to provide businesses with exactly the kinds of skills they need to grow. Our first dedicated Composites Apprenticeship programme has been developed as a result of working hand in hand with specialists from the composite industry and is a great example of us putting the iMET philosophy into practice,” explained Jo Sainsbury, managing director, iMET.

For local businesses such as Codem and TRB, it is this tailored, bespoke training approach that really makes the difference and will help them secure the future availability of skilled personnel as both companies gear up to meet their future growth plans in this dynamic sector.

“Apprenticeships are a great way for us to bring in new talent into our business. Being able to partner with iMET to develop Composite modules that truly represent our business is a huge step forward for us, reducing the need for additional inhouse training. It also helps us to attract and retain our staff longer term as our business grows,” added Monika Wiacek, training coordinator, Codem Composites.

Richard Holland, managing director of TRB Lightweight Structures added: “It is our genuine belief that to grow our business we must grow our people. We are giving local people the skills they need to grow their careers in TRB with the support of the iMET.”

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