Brinsworth Academy of Engineering Training a New ERA!

25th February 2014

It's a New ERA at Brinsworth Academy of Engineering.

In response to input from local employers the Rotherham based training academy have further developed their Employer Ready Apprenticeship (ERA) Framework that provides 42 weeks of off the job training for apprentices in skills of machining and maintenance. The apprentices who are on average between 16 and 21 years of age can now join the programme at differing points throughout the year, in order to fit with the increasing demands of production that is facing many of the employers in the sector. Employer Engagement Manager Daniel Swift explained -We came up with this new model to cater for the needs of employers who want to have apprentices joining their business at any point during the year. The programme now has a staggered start throughout the year with courses starting every month as opposed to the traditional annual academic start in September. The content has been refreshed and new teaching methods have been applied in order to create a blended learning experience for the apprentice. Daniel continued -The programme covers machining (turning, manual, CNC, AutoCAD) and maintenance (mechanical and electrical). Both courses include health and safety and engineering principles. In contrast to other traditional study centres 80% of the time is spent on machines in the workshop with the remaining 20% spent on classroom based work. Students learn more from practical experience and group sizes are limited to 10 meaning that the apprentices gain lots of hands on experience. For the duration of the 42 week course they have their own machine to work on, so they are gaining practical experience of everything from start-up, clean down, and shut down, just as they will when they enter the workplace. The apprentices are literally -Employer Ready Apprentices when they complete the training programme. The ERA programme is tailored to accommodate a range of employers and takes on board their specific workforce development needs. A number of major engineering employers from across the Sheffield City Region are involved in the latest programme. Orchid Orthopedic Solutions (Sheffield) Ltd, have worked with Brinsworth Academy of Engineering since 2006 and are one of the companies taking part in the programme. HR Manager, Julie Edwards said "As a business we see apprentices as the future of our business and want to ensure they learn skills which translate into the workplace. We currently employ two people on the ERA course and find the structure of the course means that the apprentice is able to learn advanced skills which add value to the Company as soon as they commence work on site." Another employer involved in ERA is HOWCO Group, Karen Sutcliffe, European HR Manager said -At HOWCO Group investing in young people and apprenticeships is a major focus for our organisation, The ERA course delivered through Brinsworth Academy of Engineering is seen as the skills programme of choice for our apprentices and covers all the basic skills required to succeed in this industry. The programme mirrors a lot of the well-respected principles driven by the original EITB training centres, Brinsworth Academy of Engineering are also looking to develop programmes in other key areas such as Instrumentation and Control, Electrical and Electronics and Welding. To find out how your apprentices can sign up for the ERA programme contact Brinsworth Academy of Engineering on 01709 389520 or email daniel.swift@brinsworthtraining.co.uk