Benfield-based NCT Skills for Life, one of the region’s expanding training organisations, has announced a strategic new appointment to its senior management team.
Patricia Wilkinson, a former instructor in the RAF with immense of experience in the further education sector has recently taken up the role of managing director.
Specialising in teaching construction trades, NCT Skills for Life is a not for profit community interest company which was launched five years ago. Since then it has seen many young with little in the way of qualifications people come through its doors and leave with the skills to gain a rewarding career in construction.
The range of training currently offered by NCT Skills for Life includes; intermediate and advance apprenticeships in roofing, bricklaying, carpentry and plastering in addition to a level 1 diploma in multi-trades which includes a combination of the above trades.
A former director of training and skills development with the North East Chamber of Commerce, and head of operations with another regional training provider, Patricia who is no stranger to overseeing the operation and profitability of multi-site businesses and taking an organisation to its next stage of development, is relishing having the opportunity to do the same at NCT Skills.
Further to increasing the number of apprentices a key target for Patricia is to increase employer engagement with the many construction firms that are based across the region.
Speaking about her new role and citing the value of learners she said:
“I am delighted to be joining NCT Skills for Life at such an exciting time in the organisation’s development. I hope to use my extensive business skills, coupled with my experience and knowledge of further education, to build on the success of my predecessor and grow the business organically.
“I think it’s important to point out that today’s apprentices are the construction professionals of tomorrow. We have great on-site training facilities and strong links with key employers in the region and I want to build on those links as well as create new ones with some of the local SME contractors. By giving a young person the opportunity to earn and learn everyone benefits. The apprentice gains valuable skills and employers are rewarded by having employees which they can nurture and instil in them their own company ethos.”
Adding considerably to its in-house team resource of training staff, NCT Skills for Life also has a team of support staff who act as the conduit between learner and employer providing valuable support to both throughout the learning process.
Currently the company employs 25 staff and this number is likely to increase as the number of apprentices and courses offered continues to grow, particularly as the company is on the cusp of announcing further investment at its current site and the launch on a new initiative involving the armed forces.
Patricia continued:
“At the moment my main focus is on expanding our facilities in the region to support a new initiative which will see us working with the military on a custom-made 12-week programme which will build the potential of young people before they embark on an apprenticeship.”
Speaking about such a key appointment for the organisation, PTM partner Pete Tighe, said:
“I’m delighted to announce Patricia’s arrival as the new MD. I have every confidence in her ability to build on our success to date and make NCT Skills for Life the leading construction training provider in the region. For those companies looking to employ a young person thanks to the approach they can be sure of taking on an apprentice that has attained a good understanding of the basics of construction and has a good work ethic instilled in them at the outset of their training.”
NCT Skills for Life is expected to make the announcements about the new investment and the building potential programme for young people in the coming weeks.