Press Releases

June 04 2008

Free welding course is the way to work

And places on the next course are now on offer.  Each course is for 12 people and runs for six weeks, giving those who successfully complete it an excellent chance of a welding job.

Training is available free to anyone not working who is 18 or over and interested in a career in welding.  No previous experience or skills are required. The next course starts on 30 June and training will take place each morning five days a week at the Manchester College of Arts and Technology (MANCAT) Openshaw campus.

The course has been set up by Thomas Storey, a steel fabrication company in east Manchester, in partnership with New East Manchester, MANCAT and Work Solutions, a not-for-profit company that runs services aimed at improving skills and securing employment for unemployed, economically inactive and low-skilled people.

In addition to their college training, those on the course get practical experience of welding on a work placement at Thomas Storey.

Nine people who attended the first two courses are now working as welders for Thomas Storey and two others have got welding jobs with other employers.

Eddie Smith, Chief Executive of New East Manchester, said: "This training course is helping to meet a real need for skilled welders in Manchester and gives someone with no previous experience an excellent chance to learn a new skill with great prospects of a paid job at the end."

Jo Lynch, HR and Safety Manager for Thomas Storey, said: "Although welding can be quite physically demanding, it is also very rewarding and experienced welders can earn a basic wage of up to £11 per hour.  Skills learnt for welding can be used to progress your career in many different areas of engineering; it opens up so many opportunities."

The Deputy Head of Construction (Employers) for MANCAT, who is also called Jo Lynch, said: "The welding course was designed to meet a real need and many of those who have taken part have gone on to get jobs in welding, which is good for them and helps bridge the skills gap in the industry."

For more information on the course or for an application pack call MANCAT on 0800 068 8585. All applications must be submitted by 9 June and the course starts on 30 June.

The welding course is sponsored by Thomas Storey and funded by New East Manchester, the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), the Learning and Skills Council and the Beacons for a Brighter Future New Deal for Communities programme that is tackling social exclusion in Beswick, Clayton and Openshaw in east Manchester.