An exciting and brand new apprenticeship training centre has been built to help resolve the skills shortage in high technology and engineering firms.
The Oxford Advanced Skills at Culham Science Centre is situated just outside Oxford and will eventually train 125 young people each year.
The facility is a joint venture between the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and other major employers.
The centre will commence work this month and will be managed by leading training provider JTL.
Former UKAEA apprentice David Martin is sponsoring the project and will lead Oxford Advanced Skills to raise the quality and standard of local apprenticeships through employer led training.
The new site will give employers in Oxfordshire’s high tech sector ‘work ready’ trainees’, laboratory technicians and apprentice engineers by providing apprentices skills and self-discipline through workplace training.
The centre will provide further value by working closely with local businesses, which will enable them to directly input into the qualification to make sure that the training provides the apprentices that local businesses require.
In terms of non-profit endeavour, all funds are to be invested to deliver training and to ensure the highest quality.
UKAEA’s Chief Operating Officer, David Martin, said: “With the support of high tech sector companies in the area, Oxford Advanced Skills will help resolve the critical skills shortages we are currently experiencing.
“This venture highlights how seriously we take the need for exceptional quality young people making it into the workforce in this area. JTL has huge experience in providing work-based learning across England and Wales.
“With over 6,000 apprentices currently working towards qualifications with them in the building services engineering sector.”
Meanwhile, JTL Chief Executive, Jon Graham, said that these are exciting times for apprentices in the Oxford area.
He added that the company has been working in Oxfordshire for many years but decided recently that in order to be able to provide the quality of training that young people deserved we needed to launch our own training facilities.
