Seta sparks skills surge at Grundfos

A manufacturer in Sunderland is helping upskill its workforce through a city-based training initiative aimed at driving productivity and performance.

Washington-based training provider Seta has delivered a series of bespoke engineering courses for Grundfos Manufacturing at its Castletown facility. 

More than 140 staff, including production operators, team leaders, supervisors, engineers and logistics staff, took part in a Kaizen workshop that was tailored to the site’s operational needs and focused on boosting efficiency and productivity.

As part of the training, production operators also completed a series of electrical engineering courses, while electrical operators gained further technical expertise by achieving the C&G 2391 Initial and Periodic Electrical Inspection and Testing qualification.

Elliot Watt, manufacturing engineering manager at Grundfos Manufacturing, said: “Seta’s lean manufacturing training has equipped our employees with the knowledge needed to support our continuous improvement journey. 

“We have observed increased engagement in Kaizen activities and a better understanding of the core principles of continuous improvement.

“Seta was our first-choice provider for this scope of training provision. 

“It has been instrumental in equipping our workforce with the necessary knowledge and skills to achieve success in our manufacturing plant. 

“Many of our apprentices who started their careers at Seta are now engineers, senior engineers and senior managers.

“Seta’s wealth of knowledge and expertise ensures our employees are well-equipped to succeed in their careers and contribute to the success of the manufacturing environment. 

“With Seta’s support, we can also meet our legal obligations regarding training and third-party accreditation.”

The training was delivered through the Sunderland Skills and Inclusion Project (SSIP), funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and managed by Sunderland City Council. 

Seta, which has supported Grundfos’ apprentices and upskilling efforts for more than three decades, is one of 12 SSIP providers offering fully funded courses to local employers.

Robin Lockwood, chief executive of Seta, added: “We are proud to be a long-standing training partner of Grundfos Manufacturing, which has made a highly significant contribution to the economy of Sunderland – and the wider North East – over more than 50 years.

“It’s fantastic to see teams from Grundfos training at our facilities and benefiting from the engineering expertise available on the company’s doorstep in Wearside.”

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