Aycliffe Today Business AT Business Issue 37 | Page 17

The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 17 GSK apprentices Summer Anderson and Daniel Collinson. Just one month for electricians to meet new standard Training the engineering talent of the future S outh West Durham Training works with many of the biggest engineering and manufacturing companies in the region. They include GSK, Hitachi Rail, Husqvarna, 3M, Cummins in Darlington, Ebac, MTE and Nifco UK in Stockton. Apprenticeship packages and commercial programmes are tailored to the demands of these and other local employers, with training offered from Level 1 and 2 through to higher education provision at Level 4 and 5. All engineering students – both full time and apprentices – must complete a L2 NVQ course in Performing Engineering Operations for one year (Electrical and Mechanical, Fabrication and Welding, or Precision Engineering) prior to progressing on to a two-year L3 Diploma in Engineering or a L3 Advanced Apprenticeship. The 33-month L3 Advanced Apprenticeship has seven pathways including CAD and drawing, precision engineering, fabrication and welding, maintenance, and technical support. SWDT is now also offering L4 Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and L5 Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) which are also delivered over two years at our Ofsted ‘Outstanding’-rated training centre here on Aycliffe Business Park. These include HNCs and HNDs in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, General Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. The training provider also offers Level 1, 2 and 3 plumbing programmes for up to three days per week at our fully equipped plumbing and gas centre. Summer Anderson and Daniel Collinson are first year engineering apprentices at global healthcare giant GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK), which employs more than 1,000 people at its manufacturing site in Barnard Castle. Summer, 19, of Middlesbrough, said: “I am finding my apprenticeship to be very enjoyable. Every day is different and I feel my confidence is improving. “There is a good mixture of theory and practical on a daily basis and we are provided with any support that we need.” Daniel Collinson, 18, of Bishop Auckland, who is completing his Level 3 BTEC qualification at SWDT as part of his multi- skilled engineering apprenticeship with GSK, added: “The time I have spent at SWDT has taught me a lot of new skills, which I have developed and built on each day. I have faced many different challenges and new experiences whilst thoroughly enjoying the course.” For more information about engineering and plumbing training opportunities visit swdt.co.uk or email [email protected] or call [phone]. Electricians have just one month to get up to speed with the latest requirements for all new and amended electrical installations. In July, the Institution of Engineering and Technology and the British Standards Institution released the 18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations – the essential publication for all professionals working in the electrical industry. The 650-page 18th Edition has updated standards in line with the latest advances in technology, with updates to technical data to make installations safer. They include changes in regulations around fire safety, protection against voltage overloads, and wiring systems – as well as a new appendix on energy efficiency. Electricians will need to invest in new equipment and also need to plan and prepare for a revised installation process, potentially putting aside more time to conduct an electrical install. The IET is urging all electrical professionals to ensure they are familiar with the changes before the new requirements come into force on January 1 2019. The full list of changes to BS 7671 can be found at theiet.org/18th-changes- pr To ensure electricians are fully compliant with the new regulations, South West Durham Training has launched a new theory-based three- day City & Guilds 2382-18 18th Edition Course. Aycliffe Today readers can qualify for a 10% discount by quoting SWDT18 when registering for the 18th Edition course with South West Durham Training. Email [email protected] or call [phone].