Economy Minister Dr today announced the
latest Assured Skills Collaborative Welding Academy at South West
College (SWC).
Fully funded by the Department for the Economy, this Academy is
offering an opportunity for 12 individuals to receive industry
standard welding training that will provide them with the skills
to take up potential welding roles with companies in Cookstown
and the surrounding area.
The Minister said: “The engineering sector is hugely
important to the local economy and people with welding skills are
clearly in high demand, as demonstrated by the number of local
companies supporting this Assured Skills Academy.
“I'm delighted to see these new training and employment
opportunities being delivered in Cookstown and the surrounding
area. The training provided by South West College will enable
participants to gain the valuable skills and qualifications
required to pursue a rewarding career in this important
sector.”
Successful applicants will attend a six-week intensive training
course delivered by SWC at its dedicated training facility in
Cookstown where they will study ETCAL Level 2 Performing
Engineering Operations and Certified Abrasive Wheels Training.
An Introduction to Robotic Welding (Valk) is also being offered
to all on the Academy who want to avail of the opportunity.
Students will acquire the skills to set up and operate robots to
perform a basic welding task.
Celine McCartan, Principal and Chief Executive at South West
College, said: “The continued support from the Department for the
Economy for this Assured Skills Welding Academy underpins the
success the college has enjoyed within the engineering and
advanced manufacturing sectors.
“There is a very strong appetite both from employers and
individuals across the region for welding skills and as a college
we remain committed to and focused on providing new opportunities
for local people to gain new skills, and supporting local
enterprises to employ a highly skilled workforce.”
The Academy will be delivered from Monday 28 April 2025 to
Tuesday 10 June 2025.
Eligible applicants will be invited to an information session and
interview which will be held on Monday 14 April at SWC Cookstown
Campus.
Participants will receive a £180 weekly training allowance for
the duration of the Academy, as well as help with travelling and
childcare costs if eligible.
Following successful completion of the training, participants
will be guaranteed an interview to take up a welding position at
one of the supporting companies.
All applicants must be at least 18 years old and be eligible to
work in the UK at the time of application. By applying for a
place on this pre-employment training programme, applicants are
committing to pursuing a job opportunity with one of the
employers supporting this Academy.
For more information and to apply visit: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/welding-academy
The online application form must be completed by 12.00 noon on
Friday 4 April 2025.
For further information please email your enquiry to assuredskills@economy-ni.gov.uk
Notes to editors:
1. The supporting companies are:-
- Bruce Engineering - Cookstown
- Turco Engineering - Cookstown
- NC engineering - Armagh
- QMAC Engineering - Dungannon
- Kennedy Engineering - Dungannon
- Specdrum/Specfab - Dungannon
- TBC Conversions - Dungannon
- Tracey Concrete - Enniskillen
- Keystone - Cookstown
- Coote Engineering - Ballygawley
- Portafil International Ltd - Dungannon
- STEMFAB Engineering - Ballymena
2. Assured Skills is a pre-employment training programme run by
the Department for the Economy. More information is available at
www.economy-ni.gov.uk/articles/assured-skills-academies
