Operator is named for new £3m apprentice training centre

An operator has been named for a multi-million pound apprentice training centre for a leading engineering company at Chatteris.

West Suffolk College (WSC) is to partner Queen’s Awardwinning Stainless Metalcraft in an initial five-year deal to manage its £3.16 million North Cambs Training Centre (NCTC).

Construction of the training centre began last August and is due for completion later this year.

The college will be responsible for providing technical, virtual and hands-on training for between 80 and 130 students a year, as well as building relationships with local employers. Courses will range from introductory to Higher Level Apprenticeships.

The range of courses on offer will be informed by demand from local businesses, with priority areas including advanced manufacturing and engineering, and a focus on future-skills training, including robotics, automation and composite materials manufacturing.

The training centre will have links with the business skills-led ARU Peterborough, set to open to students in September.

Martin Lawrence, commercial director, at Metalcraft, which was founded in 1864 and has trained its own apprentices for more than 100 years, said: “We received a number of high-quality responses to our tender but WSC’s application stood out due to their extensive experience and expertise delivering a range of post-16 training programmes.”

Laraine Moody, vice principal at WSC, said: “We’re delighted to have secured this contract, which promises to be a game changer for the local economy.”

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Business Board provided £3.16 million to fund the training school through the Local Growth Fund.

Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Dr Nik Johnson, said: “The appointment of WSC as operator is a real landmark for the project.

“With its focus on the needs of local people and our local economy, the vocational training school will provide a fantastic, state-of-the-art facility for local people to secure sustainable, rewarding employment.”

From left, Martin Lawrence (Metalcraft), Laraine Moody (West Suffolk College), Nikos Savvas (West Suffolk College) and Martin Johnson (Metalcraft) celebrate the new partnership.