Employer Story
Forging the future of Engineering Technicians with NDT Apprenticeships
Sheffield Forgemasters International Ltd is a global force in steel production and engineering and has a proven track record in the installation and commissioning of multi-million-pound engineering projects to support today’s manufacturing demands.
The engineering giant has over 670 employees and previous experience in implementing internal Apprenticeship programmes as part of its forward-thinking strategy to recruit younger employees and secure a sustainable future for the industry.
With a growing need for Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) skills, the Apprenticeship Levy paying employer approached Skills Training UK to design and deliver bespoke NDT Apprenticeships to meet its business and workforce development goals.
Prior to working with Skills Training UK, Sheffield Forgemasters International Ltd sent its employees off-site for training, which was often time consuming, complicated and expensive.
Working in partnership with senior staff, Skills Training UK developed a bespoke Level 3 NDT Engineering Technician Apprenticeship, identifying the most suitable modes of delivery and end-point assessments using Sheffield Forgemasters International Ltd’s existing specialist NDT training school partners, IMechE and Lavender International.
The Level 3 NDT Engineering Technician Apprenticeship is delivered on-site with Skills Training UK Trainer Assessors visiting the Apprentices once a month to support their learning and development, providing additional advice and guidance where necessary.
“The programme is well structured, well organised and from the outset. Skills Training UK were very employer focused. The two tutors that we work with are clearly very experienced and knowledgeable in their disciplines in NDT and Lean manufacturing principles.” It’s hugely beneficial that Skills Training UK is working with our existing training school partners and that the chosen Apprenticeship Standard includes all of the specialist testing methods that we use within our business. As a result,we’ve been able to tailor the delivery to suit our direct needs.”
Ricardo Franckeiss, Training Manager, Sheffield Forgemasters International Ltd
Apprentices on the course are expected to achieve an NDT Level 2 Certification in three testing methods, qualifying them to perform and direct NDT procedures globally.
Choosing from an extensive range of NDT methods, including ultrasonic testing, magnetic particle inspection, radiographic testing, eddy current testing and infrared thermography testing, Sheffield Forgemasters International Ltd has been able to choose elements within the programme that directly align to their business goals.
The Trainer Assessors are very clear and make the course easy to understand. Realistic goals are set which are both reachable and challenging.
Lewis Perry, 18, Level 3 Engineering Technician Apprentice
The tutors are very knowledgeable in their specific fields and provide lots of help if required. The course is very well organised and there is a clear structure in place from the outset. There’s also a good balance between the NVQ and the NDT delivery and learning.
James Thompson, 18, Level 3 Engineering Technician Apprentice
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