A brand-new training centre supporting qualifications and new careers in the oil, gas and wind sectors has opened its doors in Benton.
Relocating into North Tyneside earlier this year, sister company C&D Access Ltd has invested over £100,000 in creating C&D Access Training Ltd in a new centre at Bellway Industrial Estate in Benton. The new centre offers market leading training programmes designed to support professional development and create new opportunities for individuals working in the oil, gas and wind sectors.
Phase one of the state-of-the-art facility is now open with Non-Destructive Testing training, Train the Painter (specialist training in surface treatments and the application of protective coatings) and all levels of IRATA Rope Access Training (working at height). The new training company is also an ITCFirst approved centre, providing first aid in the workplace courses.
Future phases are in progress to expand the centre’s offering into areas pertinent to the requirements of the growing oil, gas and wind sectors and to create a centre of excellence in North Tyneside.
The new training firm has earmarked a further £300,000 of investment to diversify training programmes into new areas. Most notably offering GWO (Global Wind Organisation) courses, which will provide highly sought-after qualifications for an abundance of imminent work opportunities at the nearby Dogger Bank – soon to be the world’s largest offshore wind farm. Equally exciting will be the introduction of a world class Drone Flight Simulator, paving the way for a new generation of professional pilots as the demand for the use of UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) continues to grow rapidly.
Mary Clift, Business and Development Manager comments: “C&D Access Training Ltd aims to be a leading training and development centre for North Tyneside. We are now up and running with a few different courses with a specific focus on individuals working across inspection, repair and maintenance for the oil, gas and wind sectors. There is also major scope for job creation within our sister company C&D Access Ltd as a longstanding provider of inspection, repair and maintenance works.
“The oil and gas sector has been an important employer across the North East of England but with the growth in sustainable energy and wind turbine production, new career opportunities are opening up for those with the right training and qualifications to progress. As our facility and training programme expands, we hope to offer thousands of individuals across the region access to a unique range of qualifications to support a new career in the sustainable energy sector.”
The North Tyneside Business Factory, supported by the European Regional Development Fund, is North Tyneside Council’s business support programme for those with new business ideas in the borough, provided a range of guidance to C&D Access Training Ltd since opening. Assigned a personal business advisor from day one, members of the team have utilised the range of free business support workshops offered via the programme to learn more about a range of skills and tools pertinent to developing the business. Business advisor Janice Ross has been there from the start and continues to work with the team to support the launch of future training services.
Mary continues: “Our offering is quite unique and fairly specific to individuals looking to upskill or develop qualifications in particular trade sectors and the Business Factory team have been fantastic in helping support our arrival in North Tyneside with just the right kind of help and advice. We found the workshops were designed to encourage growth, with help from experienced specialist consultants covering everything from social media and marketing to sourcing opportunities on online procurement portals. Janice has been a wonderful support since day one and we are very grateful for her help along the way.”
Supported by ERDF, The Business Factory is delivered by TEDCO Business Support Ltd on behalf of North Tyneside Council to help new enterprises access the help and guidance they need to finance and set up a new venture in the borough.
Janice Ross, Business Advisor at The Business Factory comments: “The decision to bring C & D Access Training Ltd to North Tyneside is of tremendous benefit to the borough as people look to develop new careers in the oil, gas and wind sector with skills obtained through this unique facility. I’ve really enjoyed learning from the expert team about what they do and can see they have the knowledge and sector experience to understand where opportunities lie in future training development. We look forward to continuing our work as the business moves into phase two of its training programme and facility creation.”
