Hundreds of workers across the West Midlands are being given the opportunity to upskill with the help of a new programme from The Black Country & Marches Institute of Technology (IoT).
Upskilling has become important in manufacturing in recent years owing to greater pushes towards digitalisation and electrification. Credit: Olivier Le Moal / Shutterstock
Staff members aged 19 and above can now access specialist training modules for the purpose of boosting skills in fields related to increasing digitalisation and the advancements of technology.
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Applicants will be able to take one of three technical courses in Automated Machining, Robotics and Quality Assurance - topics that have been selected to reflect the evolution of industry and allow workers to take advantage of new opportunities in advanced manufacturing and greener technologies, including the energy transition and the shift towards electrification.
The modules, which in all cost around £500,000 will be delivered free of charge at In-Comm Training in Telford and can be completed part-time in formats that allow for complete flexibility. They are set to be delivered one day per week for three weeks, commencing in mid-January.
"Brexit and Covid have placed a lot of financial pressure on businesses and, in some cases, training budgets have been cut, meaning employees and bosses are missing out on vital skills development", In-Comm Training COO Bekki Phillips said.
"The pilot has been designed to bridge this gap and will give manufacturers access to high-quality courses at no cost, delivered by industry trainers and in conjunction will technical partners.
"Employers will also have a big say in shaping the focus, so it gives them exactly the skills they need to become more competitive and win new business".
There will be a round of examinations before the courses begin to ensure applicants are equipped to handle the higher learning opportunities and specialist topics, including tests in modern machining methods and the key principles of robot cell design.
Upskilling has become more important than ever in the new digital world, but many programs only focus on retraining older workers to prepare for new challenges in business.
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Phillips said the program was a "great opportunity" for workers to learn new skills which could allow for greater upward mobility within businesses.
"The blended learning, a mixture of face-to-face training and online supervision, means it is really flexible and it is rare such a high-level scheme can be completed without too much time taken away from the day job", she concluded.
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