Semta, the sector skills body for science, engineering and advanced manufacturing has launched the new Composite Engineering Apprenticeship Framework, developed by employers for employers and seen as being critical to the future of the industry. The framework will be overseen by Semta’s employer-led Composite Sector Strategy Group which has also announced a change of leadership, with a new chairman Graham Mulholland. Said outgoing chairman Ken Wappat: “This new Composite Engineering Apprenticeship Framework is the pinnacle of my work leading this group. I can now hand over the chairmanship of the group to Graham Mulholland knowing this new apprenticeship will underpin the supply of composite skills into manufacturing for years to come.” The framework was developed through working groups of employers and stakeholders which considered, debated and agreed the content and level of the National Occupational Standards for their industry. With Level 2 and Level 3 pathways, the framework offers employers a training programme with real flexibility – the Level 2 pathway is aimed at semi-skilled operator occupations where UK manufacturing currently has serious and persistent skill shortages, while Level 3 is for developing craft skilled and technician occupations and is critical if UK manufacturing is to maintain its competitive advantage in world markets. “I am delighted to be taking over as chair of Semta’s Composites Sector Strategy Group at such an exciting time for our industry,” stated Mulholland. “Ken has helped to create this essential and robust framework which we now must deliver. I am also very keen to work with the strong networks forming within our industry to help accelerate these frameworks to the front line through Composites UK, National Composites Centre and Composites Skill Alliance, to name a few. We certainly have to pull this together and push these new apprenticeships into our industry, quickly. “I have seen real benefits of my partnership with Semta first hand and what it has to offer directly and in partnership with the Composite Skills Alliance. It has paid huge dividends and I expect it to go from strength to strength. I am looking forward to working with other employers in my role as chairman to ensure more businesses, particularly SMEs, work with Semta to ensure the skills talent pipeline for composites is increased, understood and overflowing.” www.semta.org.uk
