Local engineering companies looking to boost their teams' professional development could benefit from tailored commercial training courses from Gloucestershire Engineering Training (GET), that are designed to fit around their day jobs.
While renowned for its provision of apprenticeship training, the Gloucester-based, independent training provider also offers a range of short courses designed to enhance the skillsets of employees across the sector, in areas from mechanical and electronics, to machining.
With programmes that are tailored to suit industry requirements, GET aims to ensure learners are 'work ready' from the moment they finish their training – whether on its one-week intensive skills short courses, Level 3 NVQs, or one-day, in-house equipment training courses for health and safety compliance.
SoGlos explores the courses on offer, the skills covered, and praise for GET's 'excellent' standard of training from local professionals and businesses.
Skills short courses from Gloucestershire Engineering Training
GET's skills training programmes cover all the areas taught in its apprenticeships. Trainers bring all the key safety and technical skills to these week-long courses delivered to smaller, more focused groups of no more than six delegates.
Each delegate gets full access to their own tooling and equipment, and plenty of one-to-one support from an instructor with the relevant skills and understanding of their industry.
Courses include electrical control and maintenance, aimed at anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of electrical circuits, safety and testing, or serving as a refresher for qualified technicians and engineers; while its beginners and intermediate electronics courses provide awareness of how to work around electronic circuits safely.
Its welding course is for those hoping to learn basic techniques, or engineers looking to upskill themselves; its hands-on pneumatics training helps learners builds a solid understanding of pneumatic and electropneumatic systems; and its combined milling and turning course provides training in the basic and safe operation of manual lathes and mills.
Delegates can learn how to program, operate and set a CNC mill or lathe, on its CNC programming and CNC operating and setting courses; PLC programming provides fundamental knowledge of how PLCs work and how to use them; and abrasive wheels gives learners the basic theoretical and practical skills they need to use them. GET can also cover safety and operation on manual machines including bandsaws and pillar drills, too.
Level 3 NVQs from Gloucestershire Engineering Training
GET offers Level 3 NVQs that are delivered entirely 'in-company'. Typically taking between 12 and 18 months to complete, delegates learn on the job – similar to an apprenticeship – and receive guidance and assessment towards their qualifications from GET's Skills and Development Advisor Team.
With its NVQs specifically tailored to suit the needs of both industry and delegates, no course is the same. Trainers spend time getting to know the employer's business and individual delegates, in order to tailor NVQs with the relevant skills units to meet the needs of both parties.
Delegates can start NVQs at any time of year. GET's skills courses can be used to bolster key skills gaps if required, or delegates can start straight on an NVQ if they have the relevant experience and support in-company.
In-company health and safety compliance training
GET also provides health and safety compliance training, which typically consists of one-day, in-company courses on workshop equipment, ensuring the people using it have the relevant training and skills, in line with industry best practice and safety.
By delivering the training on the actual equipment staff use, GET ensures the courses are as relevant as possible, embedding both industry and in-house best practice, such as standard operating procedures and risk assessments.
Courses typically cover equipment such as abrasive wheels, pillar drills, band saws, power tools and hand tools, but GET is always open to assessing other training needs and support where it can.
Feedback about commercial skills training with GET
Jack Quidington, operations development engineer at Melksham-based inflatables systems manufacturer, Leafield Marine, said: 'We have partnered with GET for commercial training courses for several years and have consistently found them to be an excellent resource for developing machining and manufacturing knowledge across our workforce.
'The training benefits both operational staff and those seeking a better understanding of our processes. The trainers are highly knowledgeable, engaging, and genuinely understand our company's training objectives, making every course relevant and valuable.'
While David Clements, utilities maintenance manager at The Magnum Ice Cream Company's Gloucester factory, said: 'I found the both the milling and turning course and the pneumatics course to be very interesting and well taught. Very much a hands-on approach to learning which I really engaged with.
'The milling and turning course set me up with a great baseline understanding and ability to continue developing my skills on the job. Since attending the course, I have spent a lot of time in the workshop furthering my skills and gaining more valuable experience.'
To find out how GET could help upskill your workforce with commercial skills training, visit get-trained.org/skills-training.
