Cartwright Group, the fast growing vehicle and trailer manufacturing company based in Broadheath, Altrincham, has further demonstrated its commitment to its apprenticeship scheme by investing in the new Welding & Fabrication Centre at Stockport College.
Cartwright’s £100,000 state of the art Apprenticeship Centre of Excellence was officially opened by the mayor of Stockport Councillor Chris Murphy and Mayoress Dot Murphy on Wednesday 27th November.
The centre has successfully secured investment from key partner Weldability Sif and also key suppliers including Westpoint Machine Tools, Clarence Jones Machinery, Westermans International and Cromwell tools who have worked closely with the College to install the engineering equipment.
The success of this Centre of Excellence is the brainchild of Stockport College’s Engineering Lecturer Jim Kelly who said:
“The Centre is potentially one of the best of its kind in the UK and is not only an exciting new development for the College but is one which comes at a time when the demand for engineering courses and qualifications is booming.”
During their time at Apprenticeship Centre of Excellence the apprentices will cut, shape and join sections of metal in a wide range of industries. They will develop the practical skills and technical knowledge required to work as a professional and competent fabricator and welder.
Mr Kelly also commented further:
“Stockport College is committed to looking at the needs of local industry and employers in order to develop specific courses to match industry requirements and overcome skills shortages.”
Speaking at the event, The College’s Principal Stephen Carlisle hailed the College as:
“offering ‘some of the best engineering training facilities in the North West”.
He addressed the specially invited guests by thanking the suppliers and partners and the College staff who made the venture possible and a special thanks went to the engineering team, Ian Coward, Jim Kelly, Colin Storah, Alan Purslow, David Balfe and David Mason.
Mr Carlisle also paid special thanks to Helen Jennings from Cartwright for her part in this venture, and presented her with bouquet of flowers.
Visitors on the day were able to see the centre, which currently accommodates 73 Cartwright’s Apprentices. They saw specific training for areas such as welding, sheet metal and fabrication. There are 12 welding bays and state of the art machinery along with Solidworks 3D CAD software, providing a real working environment in which the students can learn.
John Cartwright, Joint Managing Director explained ‘how the transport industry and indeed the engineering industry as a whole is one which suffers from skills shortages and the importance to provide the necessary training to create a vibrant young workforce for the next generation’.
He added:
“Cartwrights believe that encouraging new skills is essential if Britain is to keep pace with a global marketplace.
“We are therefore delighted to have had the opportunity to work in partnership with Stockport College, and Weldability Sif to help create this Centre of Excellence.”
Together with Stockport College, Cartwright has developed a 2-year apprenticeship programme leading to a Level 2 Engineering Apprenticeship. On successful completion of Level 2 and subject to interest and aptitude there will be opportunity for some to continue to Level 3 and ultimately HND level.
With the influx of Cartwright’s 80 apprentices over the past two years, coupled with a general upturn in students wishing to take engineering qualifications, Stockport College’s facilities were full to capacity.
Stockport College has always been renowned for its training expertise and in May of this year the College had an approach from Weldability who wanted to set up a Centre of Excellence which they offered to match fund.
Following a fantastic start to our 2012 apprentice programme intake for 40 apprentices, Cartwright recruited an additional 40 who started in August this year and by working in partnership with Stockport College they are offering this opportunity to school leavers who want to start a career in engineering and manufacturing.