Engineering, Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) officials visited Forth Valley College’s Falkirk Campus recently (04/07/17) to launch a new contract between the two.
Jennifer Tempany, FVC’s Head of Business Development, welcomed Martin Eatough, ECITB’s Head of Apprenticeships and Provider Management and his colleague Paul Hynd, Accounts Manager in Scotland, by showing off their new Motor Control Room workshop – which was created by a group of Modern Apprentices (MAs) sponsored by the ECITB during the previous academic year.
Jennifer and Martin then pressed a ‘start’ button on one of the workshop units to symbolise the launch of the new four year contract.
The six MAs installed and wired up working Motor Control Panels, mains power supplies and fault finding on real equipment and have managed to do it in less than 60 hours of timetabled class time – quite a remarkable effort.
John Shepherd (30) from Stirling who works for Babcock, Martin Clark (24) from Inverness who works for Amec Foster Wheeler, Lee Irvine (20) from Shetland who works for Aker Solutions and Wood Group trio Aaron Kirk (19) from Troon, Kieran Ferguson (19) from Comrie and Elliott O’Donnell (20) from Airdrie, utilised their FVC training days – under the guidance of Electrical Engineering lecturer David Hughes - to hone their electrical skills and turn a workshop into a dedicated Motor control workroom (22W) at the Falkirk Campus from a bare shell into a training asset for themselves and future MAs.
Martin Eatough, Head of Apprenticeships & Provider Management at ECITB, said: “The detail and quality of workmanship that has been applied in the building of the Motor Control Room is of a very high standard and further supports the ECITB’s choice of continuing to work with Forth Valley College in the delivery of Modern Apprenticeships, this facility will benefit many ECITB Apprentices of the future.”
Jennfier Tempany, FVC’s Head of Business Development, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the ECITB have agreed to renew their training contract with Forth Valley College and we can’t wait to get started on training the next cohort of MAs who will begin their careers with us in August.
“It was a pleasure to show Martin and Paul the new Motor Control workshop which was created by last year’s ECITB MAs. We always seek out legacy projects for our students so that they can make their mark and create something with their skills and knowledge, which will then be available for the next generation to use and enhance. This new facility is an excellent example of the high standards and professionalism which Forth Valley College trained ECITB MAs can achieve through our partnership. We look forward to strengthening our relationship in the months and years to come.”
For more information on the MA programme contact the Business Development Department on 01324 403068.