Apprentices wanted as Shrewsbury training academy sets out £150,000 investment

Ten apprentice places are up for grabs at a leading Shropshire training academy after it revealed a £150,000 investment in advanced manufacturing equipment.

In-Comm Training Academy Shrewsbury (ITAS), which is a joint partnership with Salop Design & Engineering, is looking to recruit the industry professionals of the future to add to its 65-strong intake.

Intermediate and Advanced apprenticeship courses are available in engineering, maintenance and warehousing, with young people able to train on the latest lathes and milling machines and in the state-of-the-art ‘Dick Homden’ Design Centre.

The additional investment will be channeled into installing CNC machines tools, welding bays, electrical department and a fluid power section that will cover hydraulics and pneumatics.

“Enhancing fast track competency through vocational training is an excellent start to the learning cycle and this is why we have taken the bold decision to invest so much into the academy in Shrewsbury and our headquarters in Aldridge,” explained Gareth Jones, Managing Director of In-Comm Training.

“We want to unlock the region’s true potential and the only way we can do that is to attract young people and then give them access to the best possible mentors, lecturers and trainers in a world class environment.”

He continued: “An apprenticeship is a great way to embark on a rewarding career, offering vocational training and the first step towards a possible degree…all without the student debt that comes with it.

“The additional investment means we now have ten extra places available and we want budding engineers in Shropshire to step forward and make the most of them. Employers are already working with us and prepared to offer job opportunities.”

Bosses at project partner Salop Design & Engineering believe the recent clarification of the Apprenticeship Levy and its possible impact has paid dividends in awakening interest in apprenticeships from local industry.

The firm now feels the time is right for Government and manufacturing to do all they can to inform young people of the potential careers available from going down the vocational route.

“ITAS is a great example of how a manufacturer and a specialist training provider can work together to deliver the skills industry desperately needs,” added Chistopher Greenough, Commercial Director at Salop Design & Engineering.

“There has been a lot of uncertainty about how SMEs will benefit from the ‘levy’, but this has been cleared up to a certain degree and now there is no better time for local companies to start tackling their skills shortages by investing in young people and apprentices.”

Daniel Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury, concluded: “Salop Design and Engineering and In-Comm have worked extremely hard to set up ITAS, which offers the best possible opportunities for those wanting to establish a career in engineering.

“Apprenticeships enable people to be paid whilst they attain the appropriate qualifications and practical skills and offer an alternative to staying in full time education.”