Deck machinery specialist Ace Winches has launched an engineering course for school pupils aimed at giving them a career boost.
Ace is working in partnership with nearby Turriff Academy, ITCA Training in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Council to deliver the course to Turriff pupils.
The course is also geared to meet the development needs of the Scottish Government’s Developing the Young Workforce National Advisory Group, led by Sir Ian Wood, that supports organisations looking to recruit, retain and develop young people.
The seven-month pilot session will support 16 pupils and deliver three theory and practical units based at school using ITCA resources.
Chief executive Alfie Cheyne said: “We are committed to supporting young people within the local community to afford them opportunities in their future career and personal goals.
“It is a pleasure to be part of this offer to Turriff Academy students which includes industry standard training allowing aspiring apprentices to obtain essential engineering and health and safety qualifications.
“Training is a core service of our business and our Ace Winch Academy has been providing programmes for all aspects of winch and spooling operations for five years.”
Turriff Academy depute rector Jane Bisset, said: “The rural location of Turriff makes it extremely difficult for the school to pay for the transport needed to access apprenticeships and training for the engineering field.
“We have 24 S4-S6 pupils interested in an engineering course, which would not be possible without the generosity of the partners involved due to specialist staff shortages in technologies at the school.
“This initial training providing an industry-standard PE01 course instead of the usual type of school-based course is a significant step forward for us.”
Pupils looking to pursue an engineering career would also require to have at least National 4 Maths and also a National 4 in either Graphic Communication, Design and Manufacture or Practical Craft.
Cheyne said: “Fostering and developing people is a strongly embedded value at Ace Winches and the partnership with Turriff Academy and ITCA is an example of how we are putting this belief into action.”
Meanwhile, Ace Winches has appointed Indonesian company Abumas in Jakarta as its local representative and agent. Abumas will support existing clients and help secure new contracts in South East Asia.
A number of Ace Winches clients are located in South East Asia and the company recently secured and delivered £10m in equipment and products.
Recommended for you
