Pupils training up for offshore careers

Pilot project aims to plug skills gap

A project launched as a result of the Wood Review has led to eight north-east pupils gaining qualifications for skills needed by the oil and gas industry.

Four of the 16 to 17-yearolds who completed their eight months of Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) training have now left school and secured jobs.

The SVQ Level 1 performing engineering operations course was delivered by Aberdeen-based modern apprenticeship specialist ITCA Training.

Turriff Academy was the first north-east school to take part in the pilot and it has signed-up to continue with a new group of pupils in 2016-17.

The development of a young workforce to plug an engineering skills gap across the north-east was one of the key recommendations of Sir Ian Wood’s review on how to maximise economic recovery from the North Sea.

Funded by Aberdeenshire Council, the Turriff pupils attended ITCA’s training centre at the Kirkhill industrial estate in Dyce every second Wednesday to gain practical experience in welding, fabrication, machining, turning and general engineering hand skills.

ITCA managing director, June Jones, said: “This has proved to be a successful pilot project which has resulted in these eight pupils gaining an industry standard qualification, while still in full-time education.

“This initiative is directly focused on addressing the skills gap in engineering in the north-east aswe face an

“It puts the students one step ahead when searching for jobs”

ever- increasing ageing workforce.

“Wehave to focus on providing promising young engineers with the skilled training and support they need to pursue a career in this field.”

Turriff Academy depute rector, Jane Bisset, said: “This course is beneficial to students because they are given the opportunity to work with industry standard equipment and with professional trainers to equip them for a positive destination after school.

“The PEO1 qualification stands alongside their academic and vocational college certificates to ensure they are ready for the world of work or further study.

“It also puts the students one step ahead when searching for training and jobs in today’s very competitive market.”

With the pilot hailed a success, more schools in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire are expected to join the scheme next term.

SUCCESS: Some of the Turriff Academy pupils with their SVQ certificates and ITCA managing director June Jones