Applications are now being invited for the Foundation Apprenticeship in Engineering Programme at the Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education, which starts in September 2014.
The programme is being expanded this year so that 36 places will be available in the September 2014 intake.
Minister for Economic Development John Shimmin MHK commented:
‘Our high-tech manufacturing sector offers excellent opportunities for well-paid employment with the demand for skilled engineers in the Isle of Man being very high. Therefore participants successfully completing the programme can expect to secure a great deal of interest from manufacturing firms.
‘The Government’s Vision2020 strategy recognises that manufacturing will be at the forefront of the Isle of Man’s economic vision. The Department of Education and Children will be investing nearly £1M to turn the Hills Meadow training centre into a dedicated engineering training centre of excellence. This will benefit the industry and enable the sector to continue growing.
‘The manufacturing sector is creating 80 new jobs per year and much of the sector’s future growth will be dependent on accessibility to skilled engineers. Therefore we need to develop a highly skilled local workforce in order to ensure continued success in the future.
The Department of Economic Development (DED) has a long track record of supporting skills development through initiatives such as the ACE (Awareness of Careers in Engineering) Programme within the Island’s primary and secondary schools and support for an Engineering Skills Champion.'
Chris Allen, Chair of the Manufacturing & Technical Industries Committee of the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce commented:
‘The Foundation Apprenticeship in Engineering Course is a modern take on the traditional engineering apprenticeship specifically targeted at the aerospace, precision engineering and high-tech sectors on the Isle of Man.
‘Many businesses in these sectors are currently boasting significant growth and skills shortages are threatening to limit this.
‘The industry has worked together with the Department of Education and Children and DED to develop the course content and approach. Students will complete two years at the college and will receive not only tuition for academic qualifications but also practical training, which will enable them to join industry to complete a third year as an apprentice.
‘Manufacturing businesses have committed to recruit their future apprentices directly from this course. The industry is very excited about this course and so if anyone is interested in an apprenticeship with some of the Island’s most exciting manufacturers then this course is for you.’
Anyone interested in finding out about the programme can contact the Engineering Skills Champion Adrian Harrison on 07624 498769 or via email cloud-nine@manx.net or visit the College Engineering page.
A locally-produced video highlighting engineering careers within Isle of Man high-tech manufacturing firms can be viewed here.
