A NORTH-EAST engineering training centre has been named as a finalist in the Welding World Awards after a highly successful first year in business.
Nordic Engineering Training and Testing Centre in Stockton has gone from strength to strength since being launched in December 2016.
In recent months, it has managed to place 30 local unemployed people into engineering positions after giving them the right skills to meet employers’ requirements. This follows investment from SSI Task Force Funding and support from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.
And confirmation that Nordic has reached the final of the Welding World Awards in the “Best Welding Industry Training Provider” category is further evidence of the swift impact the company has made.
Managing director Peter Robinson said: “Our aim from the beginning was to provide the highest quality training and testing facility to fill local and UK skills gaps in the engineering sector.
“We invested in assembling a top team of experts and it has been hugely satisfying in the past few months to not only find jobs for 30 local people, but to become a finalist in the Welding World Awards.”
Nordic’s welding training, testing and procedures team comprises four industry leaders with more than 120 years of welding and engineering training experience between them.
Nordic was shortlisted for the award after being nominated by satisfied customers and went on to reach the final after Head of Engineering, Kenny Williams, and Head of Engineering Sales, Ian Henderson-Thynne, travelled to Coventry to give a presentation to a panel of judges.
The awards will be presented at a Gala Dinner, hosted by broadcaster Eamon Holmes, in Birmingham on April 11.
A number of those to have recently found jobs after being given bespoke training by Nordic came through the Youth Employment Initiative with support from the European Social Fund.
As well as addressing local needs, Nordic has also supported workers from countries including Russia, Brazil, Spain, Portugal and Poland completing over 1,000 commercial weld procedure and qualification test certificates in the first 12 months of trading.
Nordic is involved with a number of companies on the Tees Biomass Renewable Energy Plant Project, supporting their welding and engineering training and testing needs.
Mr Robinson added: “It’s all about identifying the skill sets required in the industry and then providing top quality, tailor-made training for individuals so that employers’ needs are met as quickly as possible.”
Redcar and Cleveland council leader Sue Jeffrey said: “It is vital that we equip our young people with all of the skills they need to get ahead in the world of work. Quality training plays an essential part in the employment supply chain and Nordic has proved itself invaluable here.
“I’m delighted that its hard work and expertise has been recognised by the Welding Work Awards panel. In such a short time, it has made a huge impact on the training industry and, of course, the people it has helped to get in to jobs.
“I wish Nordic good luck for the big night but know that, whatever the outcome, it has already shown that it’s a winner for Tees Valley.”