Two Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) initiatives have been launched in the UK for offshore companies looking to address the skills gap through the reskilling of adult trainees. The first 16 learners recently completed their training.
The ReSkill Rigger and ReSkill Pipefitting training programmes were developed by the ECITB in conjunction with offshore contractors Wood Group PSN and Amec to help recruit people from other similar professions into the offshore industry. Both utilise the ECITB's TECSkills training units enabling learners to achieve their NVQ Level 2 in Supporting Engineering Activities, and giving them the skills and knowledge to be able to perform safely when they go offshore to gain further experience for their NVQ Level 3 qualification.
The first four-week rigger training programme was delivered with accredited TECSkills training provider TLS Training (Scotland). Wood Group PSN and Amec recruited four rigger trainees each for the programme at TLS' new customised Peterhead facility. A further eight trainees undertook the seven-week pipefitting training programme delivered with accredited TECSkills training provider MetTECH at its Grangemouth training centre.
Both training programmes incorporate 80% practical training and 20% knowledge training including all relevant offshore health and safety practices. OE
Distance-learning in the pipeline A fully-accredited, online distance learning certificate in pipeline engineering is being launched from September by Penspen and Northumbria University in the UK. The Penspen team in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, whose reach extends across the UK, Middle East, Americas and Asia Pacific, will provide all distance learning materials and tutors and the programme will be run by the university's School of Computing, Engineering & Information Sciences. |