Fast-track course to develop aerospace engineers for Wolverhampton jobs

The course aims to create 65 advanced engineers by the end of 2025

A six-month course is underway to fast-track unemployed people into advanced manufacturing jobs.

It is being run by In-Comm Training, which has bases in Telford and Aldridge, with a group of 10 people in the first cohort.

They include Keisha Sasa, who has an aerospace engineering degree but wanted extra experience.

Those completing the course will get an interview for a job at RTX's Collins Aerospace factory in Wolverhampton.

Despite her qualification from the University of Wolverhampton, Ms Sasa's efforts to get a job were being hampered by a lack of shop floor and technical experience.

The 25-year-old said: "It can be really frustrating trying to break into a specific sector, especially when you feel you have the qualifications - you need to be given a 'go' in it."

Keisha Sasa said the course was the chance to gain missing shop floor experience

The course, which will largely be based in Telford, aims to bring on up to 65 advanced engineers for Collins Aerospace by the end of 2025 and includes a mixture of theoretical and hands-on training.

It has received more than £200,000 from the West Midlands Combined Authority.

The Department of Work and Pensions has also agreed to continue to pay each individual's benefits for the duration of the course.

Ms Sasa said: "For me, that is a real plus and gives you the freedom to really focus on doing well and getting the job at the end of it."

Gareth Jones, Managing Director of In-Comm Training, said the aerospace industry has been experiencing a skills shortage, made worse by the coronavirus pandemic.

Niche skills were especially needed, he said.

There are plans in place to recruit a second cohort in June.