Several months ago Redcar SSI workers lost their livelihood en mass, many with families and little hope of future employment in the near future.
Thanks to Wescott Coatings and Training Services who offered over £27,000 worth of free training, 6 former SSI STEEL WORKERS who were have been training with thwe company over the last 2 weeks and now have ICATS qualifications and practical spraying and blasting experience have today been offered EMPLOYMENT at one of their sites in Scotland, starting next week!!!
The SSI workers will be closely supervised by senior Industrial Painters and will develop their skills over the coming months, giving them both confidence and the ability to develop their careers within the sector.
Debbie Welsh, Managing Director quoted ‘We are so pleased to have been able to help. We had hoped to be able to offer the SSI guys a chance of employment and even more happy that we have jobs for them even before they have completed all of the courses! They will get a chance to complete the additional training at some point, which includes IRATA Rope Access, required for many of our jobs. However the main aim of the training was to make them employable and this has already been achived in the training they have partaken in so far.”
Much of Wescott Coatings and Training Services work has previously been offshore and Renewal Enegry industry fabric maintainance, however due to rapid growth and strong demand are now accrediated to work on National Highway Sectors and rail. This has been a great boost for the North East and has created many jobs for local people.
One of the main reasons Wescott Coatings and Training Services have been so successful is the quality of training given to their workforce. The Industrial Coatings and Maintainence industry was once a non skilled sector, but due to legislation and major operators requiring more skilled work force, formal qualifications are now required, both on and off shore. The company’s Operations Director, Tom Whittleton identified the needs and has built a successful business combining both training and commercial services, offering 1st rate Health and Safety and quality throughout all projects.
Overall a happy outcome for these former SSI Workers and their families can look forward to a positive future and a good Christmas.
