The UK needs at least another 38,000 trained welders to satisfy demand according to Adrian Hawkins, MD of Weldability Sif and national chairman of the Association of Welding Distribution. Hawkins was addressing delegates attending the launch of a welding skills training initiative at the North Hertfordshire College in Stevenage.
Around 200 students will benefit from the skills centre directly and many others are expected to be attracted to it in the future. The Stevenage centre is a pilot for a series of 40 similar operations in colleges around the UK.
Hawkins said: “With the coming energy boom expected to make the UK self sufficient in energy from 2020, this project alone will require some 20,000 trained welders. When this is combined with a recent decline in the availability of existing welders, we will need at least another 38,000 trained welders to satisfy UK demand.
John Hayes MP, Minister (pictured above) who opened the skills centre said: “On 15th June, I set out my vision for further education. A future that is characterised by innovation, vocational excellence and a renewed sense of enthusiasm for skills. This partnership between Weldability-Sif, The Welding Institute, Cambridge and Stevenage Skills Centre to deliver training to meet demand and to overcome the current skills gaps in the UK welding industry is a great example of making this vision a reality.
“It is so inspiring to hear from those who have benefitted from this training programme, he said adding “investment in all kinds of competencies is necessary to build an economy that works.”
