Wiltshire-based Avon Vale Training signs strategic partnership with the Skills Academy

After a three year partnership with the National Skills Academy for Manufacturing (the Skills Academy,) Avon Vale Training has shown its commitment to the provision of quality training by signing a new agreement that will help to up-skill the workforce in the South West. This strategic partnership will see Avon Vale - which is now part of Wiltshire College - deliver accredited training programmes designed to make a real difference to the performance of manufacturing and engineering firms in the region. A recent study by Semta, the Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, has found that 1,250 engineering companies in the South West are at risk of failing because they are unaware of skills gaps in the workplace. The new agreement between Avon Vale and the Skills Academy, which is part of Semta, will help to address those skills gaps through the continued provision of accredited training programmes. Steve Gale, Avon Vale Training’s General Manager, is in no doubt that this training is already making a real difference to businesses and is delighted that his organisation will now forge even closer links with the Skills Academy. “Our existing partnership with the Skills Academy has really helped us to provide top class training,” enthused Steve. “We have recently made a substantial investment in the partnership which will see us further enhance the training services we offer.” The future is looking bright for Avon Vale Training. There are plans for further integration with Wiltshire College’s Engineering Department and Skills Academy accreditation will further enhance its reputation. Avon Vale Training is currently delivering over twelve of Semta’s National Vocational Qualifications in a variety of sectors such as, maintenance, manufacturing, technical support and materials processing. Steve continued: “We also want to develop our existing relationship with Wiltshire College by creating a centre of excellence in the fields of engineering and manufacturing. The experience and knowledge of Semta and the Skills Academy is central to helping us move this forward.” Bill Twigg, Development Director at Semta, added: “Together with organisations like Avon Vale Training, we are having a real impact on reducing the skills gaps in UK manufacturing. By working with Skills Academy accredited training providers, employers can now access world-class training courses and nationally recognised qualifications with a proven track record of delivering a six-to-one return on investment.” - E N D S – Image to support this release: click here View all of Semta’s and the National Skills Academy for Manufacturing’s latest news on the Skills Academy online media centre.

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