At this stage the scheme is a pilot in the North West, which involves 24 trainees focusing on Electrical/ Instrumentation and Mechanical craft specific training.  It is an off-the-job “fast-track” course which lasts between 14-18 months. Trainees will achieve an advanced apprenticeship in the employment of their sponsoring employer.

Cogent’s Chemicals Skills Director Rob Bevan said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to train to be an engineer in the chemicals industry. The sector needs 100s of new skilled employees every year because of an aging workforce and is addressing this issue through this programme, which has been designed to suit the current needs of employers.”

The programme is being delivered by TTE Training in Ellesmere Port, at its £4m state-of-the-art facility.

Rob Bevan added: “We need more employers to show interest in the programme if it is to become a long term sustainable reality. Only then will the LSC give us mainstream funding into 2007 and beyond.

“It is part of a wider Cogent strategy to address the issue that many experienced people in this critical sector are leaving to retire. It needs to see more men and women coming forward to take up careers, which offer excellent rewards and career progression.”

The course contents are:

• NVQ L2: Performing Engineering Operations
• National Certificate: Operations and Maintenance Engineering
• ECITB: CCNSG Safety Passport
• RoSPA: Health and Safety Basic Certificate
• Key Skills L2: Including working with others and Problem Solving

Employers interested in supporting this scheme into the future should contact Rob Bevan on 01925 515 210.