| The Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA) has welcomed a second cohort to its Powered Pedestrian Door Technician Apprenticeship delivered by South Staffordshire College. The group of 16 met for their first classroom session at the Tamworth campus at the end of September...following in the footsteps of cohort one which has begun its final year of study. Said ADSA Managing Director, Ken Price: "We are delighted to welcome students to the second cohort of the PPD Technician Apprenticeship in Staffordshire. We now have a total of 26 apprentices progressing their study at the start of their careers within the industry. "In creating the apprenticeship, we sought to bridge a skills gap for the industry and develop a future workforce that would put quality standards at the heart of its delivery. We are pleased that the sector has responded so positively. It is clear that there is an appetite to invest in the development of those coming into the business. |
Cohort two includes newcomers from Access Solutions Northern Ltd, Bolton Gate, Entec Door Services, MGS, Kone Cranes, JWL Doors Ltd, ADC, Record UK and Crucial Engineering.
"The apprenticeship is available to all industry-related companies, not just ADSA members," adds Ken. "Our mission is to promote the highest standards in the manufacture, specification, installation and service of automatic doors and that applies to everyone involved in it."
Among the new starters in a familiar face from the world of automatic doors. Steve Rutherford, who has more than 20 years' experience in the industry, has been appointed by the college as apprenticeship practitioner – delivering sector-specific skills and understanding to those on the course.
Across the Irish Sea there has been further good news. The PPD Technician Apprenticeship has been green-lighted for delivery in Northern Ireland through the South Eastern Regional College (SERC), in Downpatrick. It will offer the two-year, level two, apprenticeship with the opportunity to extend it to a level three qualification with a further year's study in electronics.
Funding streams have now been put in place to enable employers to tap into support for employed pathway apprenticeships. Enrolment is now underway for the first Irish cohort to start early in 2022.
"We are excited to announce our partnership with SERC and offer apprenticeship opportunities to businesses in Northern Ireland and Eire. It makes sense to extend provision geographically so that apprenticeship courses can be delivered more conveniently and cost-effectively in Ireland," stated Ken.
