UK composites apprenticeship

The National Composites Centre in the UK has launched a composites technician apprenticeship.

‘The approval by government of the composites technician apprenticeship is a significant milestone and we can now train apprentices on composites part manufacture making sure the content of the qualification meets the needs of all the industrial sectors manufacturing composites parts,’ said Dean Jones from Rolls Royce, chair of an industrial steering group chair that has developed the content of a new BTec qualification with support from awarding body Pearsons.

The training program contains eight mandatory units including materials, processes, design and defect detection to help provide the apprentice with a broad understanding of all elements of composites manufacture. In addition, there are 10 optional units which enable the trainee to focus on specific areas and gain a deeper understanding in the specific operations the company requires. The number of the optional units will be increased as industry demand dictates and new processes and materials are developed.

Serious issue

‘In the past, companies manufacturing in composite materials have had to train their apprentices in the principles of metallic manufacturing,’ added Jones. ‘Now there is a specific apprenticeship program designed and developed by composites manufacturers to address this issue.

‘We constantly hear how skills gaps and shortages are constraining growth and productivity, and how new recruits and even contractors lack the skills to perform required tasks. Well, the new composites technician apprenticeship is set to address this serious issue and as the many sectors which manufacture composites parts is set to grow exponentially, this is welcome news.’