The last 20 years has seen apprenticeships within the United Kingdom decrease to almost zero. As the UK and the rest of the world prepare for large energy and infrastructure projects, developing the necessary skilled staff base will be key to ensure the long term success and stability of such ventures.

WAGTA will bring its member companies together with local training providers, sector skills councils, awarding bodies and union representatives in the shared vision and creation of a world-class welding apprenticeship scheme.

Benefits to companies wishing to become members will be:

• Access standardised and regulated welding apprenticeships

• Increase the number of available skilled, qualified and competent welders

• Reduce post-apprenticeship training costs

• Be part of a consortium approach to apprenticeships and their training – holding a collective influence alongside your fellow employers in your area

• Identify specific welding or inspection competences appropriate to your business or industry sector that require to be incorporated into training provision

• Have apprentices trained to the NationalWelding Training Standard (NWTS), a National Occupational Standard (NOS) developed by The Welding Institute.

• Share the costs of this provision with other members of WAGTA through minimal levy payments

• Access increased and more transparent Government Apprenticeship For the apprentices themselves, WAGTA will offer the funding streams
  

WAGTA will aim to develop a home-grown welding workforce who will be able to progress through recognised pathways to more senior roles in the industry, paving the way for a successful industrial and manufacturing future. By primarily working with small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the WAGTA will facilitate and feed the upskilling necessary in larger enterprises and larger schemes of engineering work, reducing the reliance on a migrant staff base.

If you are a SME company who wishes to join WAGTA, please download and complete the application form here

We would welcome letters of support for WAGTA from any OEM/larger companies, local education providers or other organisations who recognise, believe and share in the principles and benefits of WAGTA. A briefing note that discusses the basis for and delivery of the WAGTA project can be found by clicking here .

To find out more about WAGTA click here

To download the promotional poster click here

If you have any queries with relation to WAGTA please contact the Professional Membership Office here