The Problem
Cogent Power (part of Tata Steel Europe) identified the need to train people in South East Wales for skills development in the field of Metallurgy and related areas of metal production. The industry is becoming more and more technically demanding, and the need for knowledge of technical aspects of steel production has become critical to the success of businesses within the sector, with quality standards higher than ever and production installations increasingly hi-tech. The number of school leavers with Science A-levels is reducing and formal metallurgical training in South East Wales has all but disappeared, resulting in a potential skills shortage within the Metals Industry, particularly at a Technician level.
The Solution
Working in partnership with Cogent Power and Coleg Gwent, the University of Wales Newport have developed five stand-alone training modules; Introduction to Materials, Mechanical Testing, Metallography, Chemical Analysis and Magnetic Testing, with the aim of addressing this skills gap. Each module will be offered as a combined afternoon and evening session of five hours over five weeks and will offer a mixture of theory and practical, laboratory based content.
The Outcome
The development of these modules in collaboration with industry leader Tata Steel Europe ensures that content is relevant and suitable for industry, allowing current workforces to up-skill and providing prospective employees with a strong skills foundation.
“It is vital that Industry works closely with the local academic institutions to ensure that training is relevant to the needs of local businesses. We are confident that this collaboration will lead to a new breed of skilled individuals which will help drive the Metals Industry forward in Wales” – Laura Baker, Technical Manager, Cogent Power Newport.