Corrosion Protection Consultants
The Birth of Apprenticeships for Industrial Coating Applicators
Introducing the first ever Industrial Coatings Applicator Apprenticeship (ICAA)
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With a high demand for skilled industrial coatings applicators in the UK and globally, it is surprising that it took so long for an entry level apprenticeship to become available. Until recently, industrial coatings applicators were drawn from within the industry and accredited through the ICATS training scheme.
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The first Industrial Coatings Applicator Apprenticeship (ICAA) has now been completed, and all apprentices who took part in the programme passed with distinction. The driving forces behind the development of the programme were initially the Highways England 19a committee. Once the Apprenticeship had been approved there was a handful of people who drove the concept to reality; Martin Hillyard of Jack Tighe, Mick Lochran of North Lindsey College, Kevin Harold of Paintel and David Mobbs of Corrosion Integrity Management.
Why are apprenticeships for industrial coatings applicators needed
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The industry has a glaring gap in its regulation and that is the fact that an Industrial Coating Applicator needs no formal training to apply their trade. True it is changing with Highways England, Network Rail and the Power industry mandating training but its slow and confined to only a few markets.
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We desperately need to improve competence in this area and one way is to start with young entrants and ensure they have the proper training from entry into the market.
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Jack Tighe will also tell you, despite the critical nature of the work of industrial coatings applicators, employers in the sector are facing a serious problem. The average age of applicators has been rising for years. There is a danger that in a few years there will be very few qualified and experienced industrial coatings applicators remaining. In a nutshell, the industry needs new, younger employees
Industrial Coatings Applicator Apprenticeships – an idea is conceived
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Stephen Hankinson, Chairman of Hankinson Whittle Group, and David Horrocks from BAM Nuttall drove the concept of apprenticeships for industrial coatings applicators.
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An employers group was established and a sub-committee training group, chaired by David Horrocks and included other members from the Advisory Committee including Jeff Bowden and Lance Williams from Highways England, and also Pete Walker from the British Constructional Steel Workers Association (BCSA).
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The training committee took on responsibility for creating the standard, with a view to providing a pathway for training providers to deliver this much needed apprenticeship programme around the UK.
Apprenticeships are real opportunities
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These new Apprentices are trained in the application of Industrial Coatings like no other to include all of the latest Health & Safety regulations. They can take that accreditation anywhere in the world and it will be recognised giving them a head start over other candidates they may be competing with.
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Our thanks go to John Whittaker, Training Manager, and Sam Panter, Health & Safety of Jack Tighe and Kevin Harold the Managing Director of both Paintel and Correx Ltd who made the first ever Apprenticeship a roaring success.
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We now have 3 other Apprenticeships running and hope to be able to offer programmes across the country in the future.