Skills Boot Camp commences at SETA

for Trainee Maintenance Operatives (TMO)

Skills Bootcamps support unemployed Hampshire residents into jobs in engineering construction. 

A group of 11 unemployed people have taken the first steps to securing a job in the engineering construction industry after beginning a Skills Bootcamps programme funded via Hampshire County Council. 

The cohort, aged 18 and over, will gain recognised skills and accredited qualifications as part of a 16-week Trainee Maintenance Operative (TMO) programme. 

If the learners successfully complete the programme, they will secure employment with Altrad Services working at ExxonMobil’s Fawley Refinery near Southampton. 

The programme is a collaborative initiative between Hampshire County Council, the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), Altrad, the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) and training provider SETA. 

The initiative is part of a wider programme of collaborative and co-funded partnerships to create a pipeline of new entrants to help address skills gaps in the engineering construction industry, with the ECITB’s Labour Forecasting Tool predicting a 28% increase in demand for workers by 2028. 

The TMO scheme forms part of the ECITB’s Work Ready Programme, which is designed to tackle these industry skills shortages, as well as support individuals into employment. Further TMO programmes will launch throughout 2024 as part of partnerships in Pembrokeshire, Vale of Glamorgan, Teesside and Cumbria. 

ECITB Chief Executive Andrew Hockey said: “The pilot Work Ready programme at Pembrokeshire College in 2023 was a big success in helping learners gain employment. It shows the real benefits of adopting a collaborative approach.  

“The ECITB’s strategy, Leading Industry Learning, sets out our plans to grow new entrant pathways, like Work Ready, into the engineering construction industry.  

“The Hampshire TMO programme further demonstrates the steps the ECITB is taking to grow capacity within the industry. 

“As someone who was brought up in the Solent area near the Fawley Refinery, it’s great to see this get off the ground. I would like to wish all learners the best of luck on their journey to securing jobs with Altrad.” 

Referrals for the Skills Bootcamp came through the Jobcentre, with unemployed candidates being put forward for interview. 

The programme, which is delivered by Southampton-based training provider SETA, will provide comprehensive training and development opportunities to the cohort selected. 

As well as being introduced to skills related to health and safety, rigging and mechanical joint integrity, the programme also involves learners achieving a Level 2 Diploma in Performing Engineering Operations. 

The programme is being delivered through Skills Bootcamps, which are free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills to move into employment. 

Skills Bootcamps are fully funded for learners in England by the Department for Education, as part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee, and are delivered locally through partnerships. 

Councillor Rob Humby, Leader of Hampshire County Council, added: “We’re pleased to have secured over £5 million of Government funding for Skills Bootcamps employment training. 

“The scheme is great news overall for Hampshire’s people, businesses and our county – supporting people to boost their skills and improve job opportunities, and helping local businesses to develop and thrive, which in turn benefits the local economy and the quality of life for everyone living in Hampshire. 

“It’s great to see Hampshire’s employers coming together with local training providers, helping to shape the courses offered, and so fill local skills gaps and job vacancies.” 

Andy Sherman MBE, Hampshire Partnership Manager at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), said: “I am extremely proud of the partnership work which has culminated in this potentially life-changing Skills Bootcamp for local unemployed claimants. 

“DWP Jobcentre Work Coaches were genuinely excited to highlight this great opportunity to unemployed claimants and support them in their applications to participate; especially as those who successfully complete the Bootcamp will move into guaranteed employment with a major national employer, Altrad.” 

Altrad combined forces with the Northern Competency Cluster, which included the ECITB, as a Skills Bootcamp helped nine trainees gain employment in Teesside last year. 

Tony Jester, Executive Vice President of Operations at Altrad, said: “The Teesside pilot enabled trainees to acquire essential skills and knowledge, equipping them for roles within the engineering construction industry. 

“The training provided not only fosters a more skilled and capable workforce, but also serves as a crucial stepping stone towards building a robust talent pipeline. 

“This strategic initiative has not only met the immediate skills requirements of the industry, but has also positioned it for long-term success by cultivating a pool of skilled professionals.” 

Donna Mulvihill, Head of Learning & Development at Altrad, said: “I am pleased that the programme’s triumph has prompted the expansion and replication of the model in the Southampton area, underscoring its effectiveness as a scalable solution to address regional skills gaps and build a sustainable talent pipeline for the future.” 

Julie Gough, Chief Executive at training provider Southampton Engineering Training Association (SETA), said: “SETA is committed to supporting the needs of employers in the local area to help meet the skills shortage in the sector, as well as offering unemployed individuals an opportunity to gain employment in the engineering construction industry. 

“SETA is excited to be spearheading this fantastic opportunity for candidates seeking entry to employment within the sector. 

“The programme and partnership represent a fantastic opportunity for individuals to develop the skills needed to gain long-term employment which then feeds the skills shortage.” 

Further information on Skills Bootcamps funded via Hampshire County Council can be found at www.hants.gov.uk/business/skillsbootcamp