Tag: National Transition Training Fund

Justin secures dream job with help of graduate scheme

A university graduate from Edinburgh is finally putting his degree to good use after securing a role as an electrical engineer within the renewable energy sector.

Justin Okumu, 35, had previously struggled to find a role within his chosen field before being accepted for the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) graduate training scheme, which he credits with helping him secure his ideal role. 

Now, Justin hopes to encourage future graduates to apply for the scheme, which is run through the NMIS Manufacturing Skills Academy and has reopened applications for placements in 2022. 

Funded by the Scottish Government’s £20m National Transition Training Fund, NMIS graduate training aims to bridge skills gaps in advanced manufacturing and support those struggling to find work as a result of the economic impact of the pandemic. 

This was exactly the case for Justin, who graduated in October 2020 with a degree in Energy and Sustainability from The Open University. Despite his qualifications, Justin found himself unable to find work in his specialised field – instead spending eight months working within hospitality. 

After several unsuccessful applications, Justin became aware of NMIS, which is operated by the University of Strathclyde. Following a successful interview for its graduate training scheme, he was awarded a fully-paid six month placement with Renewable Parts in Lochgilphead. 

The role allowed Justin to gain the necessary skills and build confidence in his abilities, while working in his desired sector. And, thanks to Justin’s hard work and dedication, Renewable Parts has offered him a permanent role as electrical engineer in the refurbishment centre.  

Justin said: “Graduating during the pandemic was a nightmare. Working full-time in my hospitality role, I’d spend most days thinking about job applications, then most evenings completing and sending them off – it was exhausting and demoralising.

“But the NMIS graduate training scheme was a lifeline, and I couldn’t have been placed with a better company. It provided me with the opportunity to put all my learning and skills to good use and build confidence in my own abilities. 

“I’d definitely encourage anyone graduating into manufacturing or engineering to apply for the scheme.”

Renewable Parts Ltd is a leading supply chain and refurbishment partner in the renewable energy industry with an operational centre in Renfrew and a refurbishment centre in Lochgilphead.

Working with wind energy providers and industry manufacturers, it offers a range of services including technical support, refurbishment and supply of parts.

Michael Forbes, General Manager of Refurbishment Engineering at Renewable Parts, said: “We were delighted to work with NMIS on the graduate training scheme, and with the high standard of applications. The business is growing, and the scheme allowed us to recruit for positions where otherwise we may have held off until a little later. 

“The placement was almost like a 6-month interview, allowing us to see how the graduates integrated with the existing workforce, and in Justin’s case it became clear early on that he was a very good fit for the business.”

For morning information on Renewable Parts Ltd visit www.renewable-parts.com/. 

For more information or to apply for the NMIS graduate training scheme as a business or individual visit https://www.nmis.scot/national-transition-training-fund/nmis-graduate-training

Edinburgh STEM graduates wanted for fifty fully-paid work placements made available across Scotland

The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) has established fifty fully-paid work placements within manufacturing and technology businesses across the country with the launch of the second round of its Manufacturing Skills Academy’s graduate training programme.

The placements are set to provide graduates with the opportunity to build in-demand skills and experience in the worlds of digital and advanced manufacturing, with positions now available across the Edinburgh region.

Each up to six months in duration, the placements are aimed at recent university and college graduates of a STEM related subject who are unemployed or struggling to find meaningful work due to the impact of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Based within new and emerging markets such as green energy, space and renewables, placements are being offered within innovative companies across Scotland.

For example, successful applicants could find themselves working for Edinburgh based Shapespace Ltd, specialising in engineering and manufacturing analytics software, or Mask Logic, using additive manufacturing within product design.

Graduates could also look further afield to the likes of Scotmas Group, specialising in design, development and manufacture of environmentally sustainable disinfection equipment for water treatment, healthcare and food industry, with positions available in a number of companies across Scotland.

This new round of graduate training follows on from the success of the pilot programme launched early last year.

The programme saw thirty graduates recruited and placed with companies across Scotland and the NMIS Group giving valuable on-the-job work experience. A number of graduates have now gone on to secure extended contracts, or full-time employment.

Funded by the Scottish Government’s £20 million National Transition Training Fund (NTTF), the programme has been developed by the NMIS Manufacturing Skills Academy and is one of a number of initiatives designed to support Scotland’s economic recovery, and the transition to net-zero.

Minister for Youth Employment and Training Jamie Hepburn said: “The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland’s Manufacturing Skills Academy is delivering excellent work-based training to help graduates move permanently into high quality jobs in manufacturing.

“Building on the success of last year’s National Transition Training Fund pilot, this is an important opportunity for STEM graduates to access high quality training opportunities right across Scotland.”

Stewart McKinlay, Skills Director at the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland’s Manufacturing Skills Academy said: “We’re delighted we’ve received further support to provide an opportunity to fifty more graduates, now including those from colleges as well as Universities.

“The support from the Scottish Funding Council for the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland’s pilot graduate training programme last year allowed us to place 30 graduates within thriving businesses across the country and the specialist technology centres at NMIS. 

“It was a real success, with a significant number of the employers making permanent job offers to the graduates and other graduates going on to receive multiple offers from other companies based on the strength of their work experience. The aim is to replicate, and improve on this further, in 2022.”

The graduate training programme is now open for applications. Candidates are asked to submit an application form and short video before being matched to potential opportunities with an industry partner.

Speaking about his experience from the 2021 graduate training programme, Mina Hanna, who has now secured a further contract with Opportunity Cromarty Firth and the University of the Highlands and Islands said: “The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland’s graduate training scheme was truly a life changing experience, and I would encourage all manufacturing and engineering graduates to apply. 

“The time that was given to me by so many experienced professionals was an incredible opportunity and I am so grateful to NMIS Manufacturing Skills Academy for allowing me to embark upon a career that I am passionate about.”

NMIS, which is operated by the University of Strathclyde, is also encouraging expressions of interest from companies across Scotland that are interested in being part of the programme and placing a recent graduate.

Renewable Parts placed three graduates within its company last year. Michael Forbes, General Manager of Refurbishment Engineering at Renewable Parts, said: “We were delighted to work with the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland on the graduate training scheme, and with the high standard of applications.

“The business is growing, and the scheme allowed us to recruit for positions where otherwise we may have held off until a little later.

“The placement was almost like a 6-month interview, allowing us to see how the graduates integrated with the existing workforce.”

The applications process for the NMIS Manufacturing Skills Academy graduate training programme closes in early February.

An NMIS Insights online event is also taking place in the coming weeks offering an opportunity to find out more about the programme and hear from previous graduates and companies as they share their experiences.

Details will shortly be available on the event section of the NMIS website.

Training for people facing redundancy and unemployment

People who have lost their jobs or who are at risk of redundancy as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19) can access support to retrain through a new fund launched by Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop this week.

The £25 million National Transition Training Fund – a flagship Programme for Government commitment – will help up to 10,000 people aged 25 and over to develop the skills required to move into sectors with the greatest potential for future growth and job opportunities.

The fund will help to boost the supply of skills in areas such as sustainable green jobs and raise the profile of training opportunities linked to Scotland’s transition to a net zero economy.

Ms Hyslop said: “This is a very worrying time for many people – particularly for those working in sectors most affected by the pandemic and whose livelihoods are at risk.

“That is why we are doing everything we can to protect jobs and ensure that people faced with redundancy can get back to work as quickly as possible.

“The National Transition Training Fund will help people take advantage of the jobs available in growth areas of the economy, such as digital and green technologies. It will also be responsive to industry needs and targeted towards the most exposed sectors including oil and gas, aviation and tourism.

“As we recover from the pandemic, it is our ambition to create a stronger, more resilient, more sustainable economy. Ensuring people have the right skills to futureproof their careers will be crucial in achieving that goal.”

Skills Development Scotland will be responsible for the initial £11 million phase of the fund, which is now live and will help up to 6,000 people by March 2021.

People accessing the fund will be in control of their own training plan but will have the support of advisers with knowledge of local job opportunities so they can make informed decisions about their future career.

Frank Mitchell, Chair of SDS, said: “The National Transition Training Fund is an important part of the plan for how Scotland can emerge strongly from this crisis with more of the skills that will drive our future economy.

“For anyone currently facing or dealing with redundancy, the fund offers the chance to get vital training offering a pathway towards jobs in growth areas.

“For employers, it’s also an opportunity to access some of the most in-demand skills that are needed to speed up economic recovery and return to growth.”

Stuart McKenna, Chief Executive of the Scottish Training Federation, said: “We welcome the introduction of this new fund which will help people re-shape and develop their existing skills – and through bespoke support, develop a portfolio of skills much needed in growth sectors.

“The focus on ensuring that people have control over their own training plan is particularly welcome. This will promote ownership of their future career and allow them to develop the skills that will give the best opportunities in their specific circumstances.”

The first phase of the National Transition Training Fund will be administered by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) on behalf of Scottish Government, with work coaches from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and PACE advisers from SDS providing advice and support. Two further strands will launch this autumn.

The Fund is open to anyone aged 25 or over who is unemployed, economically inactive or at risk of unemployment due to the impact of Covid-19.

To find out more, visit myworldofwork.co.uk/national-transition-training-fund or call 0800 917 8000.