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Welding Training Sparking Career Success For Trainees

Talented trainee welders are developing a skilled career in the offshore wind industry thanks to a life-changing training programme.

A total of 24 people have commenced training to become welders at the giant SeAH Wind monopile factory thanks to support from the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority.

The workers are undergoing a 24-week full-time training course at Stockton-based training company Nordic before joining SeAH Wind and starting the next stage of their development.

The training has been delivered with the help of funding from the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority through its Adult Skills Fund and Skills Bootcamp funding.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen met trainees and representatives from Nordic and SeAH Wind at Nordic’s training centre in Stockton this week.

He said: “We are bringing world-class companies to our region and it is essential that local workers have the right skills to take advantage of the outstanding opportunities.

“The training we have funded will not only help people secure jobs now but provide a platform for long-term career success while also putting money back into our local economy.”

The group of trainees come from a wide range of backgrounds and across Teesside. A total of 13 were unemployed before beginning training. They include a former chef, pub manager, and carpet fitter.

Mohammed Saleem Butt, 51, previously worked in jobs in construction, retail management, self-employment and taxi driving.

He said: "It’s a complete career change. I never thought I'd do something like this but when the opportunity came up I wanted to grasp it with both hands.

“Especially someone of my age, I thought my days of learning new skills were over but I just want to learn as much as possible.

"During the training I've fallen in love with it. It's given me the opportunity to have a career in my local area and also see how far I can go and push myself."

Lydia Chandler, 26, joined the course after previously working at a bookmakers and said it had provided the opportunity to pursue her chosen career in engineering.

She said: "I love it! I'm enjoying bettering myself and learning different things. Every day you learn something new and I’m looking forward to seeing how far I can go in the future.

"This training is giving me the chance to be settled in a career and to be able to work in that area for the rest of my life is just so great. This is what I want to do."

The trainee welders have learned a range of specialist welding skills alongside health and safety training which will prepare them for work at SeAH’s world-class facility.

SeAH Wind is currently building world’s largest monopile factory at the giant Teesworks site on the south bank of the River Tees, which will employ up to 750 people once fully operational.

The first cohort of trainees have secured a full-time contract at SeAH Wind and are now beginning their induction on site at SeAH.

Mark Roddy, Nordic Managing Director, said: “We are proud to be delivering this training which is a fantastic example of how Nordic can deliver a bespoke service which provides lifelong opportunities which also enhances productivity.

“This programme across the 24 learners has incorporated more than 18,000 hours of training, providing a great opportunity for the trainees to learn and enhance their skills and drive forward their career.”

Matthew Hart, HR Manager at SeAH Wind, said: “We are delighted to welcome this group of trainees from Nordic into SeAH Wind. I am proud of each and everyone of the trainee welders they have shown hard work and dedication throughout and have impressed us all.

“The trainees had no or limited welding experience before starting at Nordic; now, they are suitably qualified and will begin the next stages of their development at SeAH Wind.

“We want to thank the TVCA for their backing with the funding and Nordic for carrying out the training and supporting the trainees throughout the course.”

Skills Bootcamps are funded by the Department for Education, as part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee.

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