Weldability-SIF Supports NHC Support Young People? Campaign

The objective of the ‘NHC Support Young People’ campaign is to welcome and promote engagement with employers and organisations by enabling any employer to provide the opportunity for students to be recognised on the NHC website and celebrated for their commitment.

The NHC has embraced enterprise and entrepreneurship as a route to employability for its students. Students are encouraged to engage with business and to add value when they are on work placement. Employers are at the centre of this new direction. Many have already given their time and resources to support students and develop their self confidence, persistence and an enterprising attitude.

Weldability-SIF is fully committed to and is already working alongside The Welding Institute (TWI), Cambridge, the UK’s leading research institute in materials joining technologies and EAL certification, to initiate foundation level welder skills training at Stevenage Skills Centre as a first step towards a full apprenticeship programme, so this student sponsorship is a continuation of this programme.

Adrian Hawkins, Managing Director at Weldability-SIF and former student at Stevenage College said: ”Around 200 existing NHC students will benefit directly and its is clear from demand that many other students will be attracted to the NHC Skill’s Centre in the future. Weldability-SIF has helped establish a dedicated welding classroom and workshop at Stevenage Skills Centre as a pilot for a series of 40 similar operations in colleges around the UK. We have a shortage of highly skilled professional welders in this country as well as internationally and these centres will be a great opportunity for youngsters to get a qualification in welding that will stand them in good stead anywhere in the World.”

As an employer working alongside the NHC, Weldability-SIF has been nominated for the new “Supporting Young People” award at the 2011 Hertfordshire Business Awards.