Tributes to trainer Kath, 62

TRIBUTES have been paid to a training champion who has died. Kath Soliman, the former chief executive of Oldham Training Centre, passed away, aged 62.

She joined the centre, which provides manufacturing, engineering and vocational training, in 2004 and became its chief executive in 2012.

Kath successfully steered the business through a variety of industry and funding challenges.

Her funeral will take place at in Uppermill Civic Hall on Friday, at 1pm, followed by a private wake for family. Oldham Training Centre was founded by a group of local firms in 1966 to run apprenticeships and other training courses.

It celebrated its 50 anniversary in 2016 and has developed over the years to serve a wide range of industry and business sectors. Its work includes engineering and electrical apprenticeships, forklift truckdriving, business administration, health-and-safety and fire training courses.

Su Greaves, deputy chief executive of of the centre said: “Kath successfully steered the business through the various challenges that the industry and funding system present.

“Kath was totally committed to OTC. She was an integral part of our business and very well-respected within the training-provider, learning and business communities,” she said.