Partnership aims to boost apprenticeship provision

A new partnership has been launched to deliver apprenticeship and workforce training programmes.

Global industrial services firm Altrad has joined forces with Tees Valley-based Education Training Collective (Etc.) to provide a range of apprenticeship and upskilling opportunities through a network of further education colleges and training providers.

The partnership has been established to strengthen Altrad’s training provision and help meet the evolving skills needs of its workforce and clients across the country.

Etc., recently designated a Clean Energy Technical Excellence College by the Department for Education, will work with Altrad and a consortium of colleges, awarding bodies and training organisations to deliver apprenticeship programmes across multiple disciplines.

Officials say the collaboration aims to provide consistent, high-quality training aligned to Altrad’s operational requirements, while equipping apprentices with the skills and experience needed to progress in their careers.

They add the partnership will also support the development of future talent pipelines and help ensure employers have access to a skilled workforce to meet growing industry demand.

John Walsh, chief executive of Altrad UK, Ireland, Nordics & Poland, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the team at Etc. as we continue to invest in high-quality apprenticeship provision.

“This represents a significant milestone, marking the first partnership of its kind in the UK. 

“It reflects a shared commitment to addressing ongoing skills requirements within the industry and supporting sustainable workforce development over the long term.”

Grant Glendinning, group principal and chief executive of the Education Training Collective, which incorporates Bede Sixth Form College, Innersummit, NETA Training, Redcar and Cleveland College, and Stockton Riverside College, added: “We are proud to work with Altrad on this important initiative.

“Today’s announcement is the culmination of more than two years of our respective teams building relationships, planning, and now delivering this exciting project. 

“It reflects the growing recognition within industry of the vital role further education plays in developing not just the jobs of the future, but a highly skilled workforce with specialist technical expertise.

“By collaborating closely with employers like Altrad, we can ensure our apprenticeship programmes are directly connected to industry need, creating meaningful career pathways and supporting long-term economic growth.”

Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help →

Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.