Training in focus at open days

OLDHAM Training Centre with Brian Yeldon (lead lecturer) and apprentice Oliver Goodlad

NEW dates have been announced for two open days highlighting the apprenticeship and training opportunities on offer.

Young people leaving school or college, along with parents and employers, are the target audience for the events at Oldham Training Centre (OTC).

The Lees Road-based centre is holding two open afternoons to highlight its vocational training programmes with local firms on Tuesday next week and Thursday, September 1, between] 3pm and 6.30pm on both days.

The open events were initially scheduled for the earlier summer but were rescheduled.

The new dates come after the release of this summer's GCSE and A-level exam results, meaning youngsters will be in a clearer position about the many training, education and career options open to them.

Products made by local manufacturers will be on show and a time capsule will also be buried.

Oldham Training Centre (OTC) was founded by a group of local engineering firms and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

The group training centre focuses on training people in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and fabrication-and-welding skills but also offers other courses in business administration, customer service, health and safety, management and fork lift truck operating.

Apprentice programmes make up a big part of its work, especially training young school and college-leavers for manufacturing roles where science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM subjects) are important.

Kath Soliman, OTC's chief executive, said: "We decided to hold two half days to ensure we give two opportunities during the holiday period.

"This fits around the exam results dates.

"We are welcoming all young people and their parents. If they cannot visit us on these dates, they can make appointments individually to come in for a chat with us."

Accolades

OTC has recently invested £150,000 in equipment and facilities at the Lees Road centre.

It also maintained a 'good' rating from Ofsted inspectors recently.

Classed as a group training association, OTC was founded by businesses including Dronsfield, Platts and Farranti.

Today OTC works with companies such as Ferranti Technologies, LTE Scientific at Greenfield and Tunnel Engineering Services (UK), which scooped two top accolades at this year's Oldham Business Awards (pictured).

Mrs Soliman said youngsters, both men and women, can build goodt careers in Stem-related industries, where there can be a shortage of skilled workers.

Employers are also welcome at the open events where they can also learn more about government plans for a national shake-up to apprenticeship programmes.

The changes are designed to make training programmes at the centre more tailored to the specific needs of individual businesses.