A leading manufacturer of LED lighting solutions has secured a partnership with top North East training provider, Seta, in a move that will support its workforce and help bridge the region’s engineering skills gap.
Ashington-based BSSLED has partnered with Seta, which will initially deliver a tailored apprenticeship programme with scope to deliver further commercial training courses in the future.
Seta has also supported one of the company’s current apprentices, who is two years into his apprenticeship.
Daniel Lowes, 18, has secured a place with Seta having previously attended another North East college for the first two years of his Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering Maintenancebefore BSSLED was forced to sever ties with the institution.
However, the Seta partnership has saved Daniel’s apprenticeship and career progression with BSSLED, which is also covering Daniel’s additional travelling costs to the technical training provider.
Seta is a long-established, not-for-profit engineering, business and professional training provider based in Washington. Working with businesses of all sizes, Seta delivers a range of accredited courses and apprenticeships from entry level up to HNCs and HNDs.
Steve Bell, founder of BSSLED, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to secure this partnership with Seta, which comes highly recommended. By partnering with a technical training provider, this will equip Daniel and any future apprentices at BSSLED with the required work ethic and skills necessary that will make the transition from apprentice to employee all the more straightforward. Organisations like Seta understand the requirements of business and prepare its apprentices suitably for careers in engineering and related sectors, and the world of work, in general.
“The region as a whole is facing a major skills shortage, particularly within engineering as we are struggling to produce enough young engineers and are too reliant on older workers. Seta is helping to combat this gap, together with the support of firms like ours, so hopefully we can produce even more young and enthusiastic engineers by equipping them with the education and acumen necessary to succeed in industry.”
Robin Lockwood, chief executive officer at Seta, added: “Here at Seta, we pride ourselves on providing training solutions that are tailored to businesses, ensuring they have the skilled workers they need. Our courses have been designed to help businesses from sole traders and SMEs, to multinationals who want to upskill and cross-skill their entire workforces, as well as giving individuals the opportunity to boost their careers through new learning experiences.
“We’re delighted to be on board with BSSLED. We’re looking forward to developing the partnership while helping them to develop and retain the skills they need to remain a successful and competitive business.”