A leading apprenticeship provider has enhanced its welding training offer after receiving a £15,000 funding boost from grants provider Walsall Business Support.
Performance Through People, based in Essex Terrace, is developing the welders of the future after adding to its facility, taking the total number of training bays to eight. Backed by Walsall Business Support, the installation adds to significant growth from 2023, when the company had just two bays.
The new sections will be used to train apprentices working on critical pressure systems for nuclear reactors and submarines, along with providing specialist training for the aerospace industry.
The expansion enables Performance Through People to meet local demand for highly skilled welders through the delivery of higher level training.
Led by leading business figures to distribute funds collected from the legacy of Walsall Chamber of Commerce, Walsall Business Support funds projects to enhance the borough’s economy.
Performance Through People engineering project manager Kevin Newell said: “The installation of the new welding bays will make a substantial difference to our training capacity as we can now accommodate significantly more learners compared to where we were only two years ago and deliver the specialist welding skills which our partners in industry need.
“We will be able to meet the increased demand for highly skilled welders, who are expected to meet the highest standards. This investment represents a step forward in our ability to support vital sectors and we are committed to training the next generation of specialist welders.
“We are pleased we can bring this expansion to life through Walsall Business Support backing. We would recommend other businesses to approach them to help realise their full potential.”
Walsall Business Support board member John Punch said: “We congratulate Performance Through People on the successful expansion of their welding training facilities, which will modernise their operation and help them deliver critical skills training for some of our most important industries.
“We are pleased to support their plans, offering enhanced training opportunities and helping to develop the skilled workforce these sectors need. ”
The bays addition comes after West Midlands Combined Authority deputy mayor Sharon Thompson, supporting officer Shaun Hall, acting leader of Walsall Council councillor Adrian Andrew and Walsall councillor Adam Hicken visited Performance Through People’s Engineering Training Academy.
As well as funding welding training at the academy, the WMCA provided part funding for Performance Through People’s net zero efforts. Walsall Council match funded an earlier expansion of the welding offer, prior to Walsall Business Support’s funding.
Walsall Business Support offers grants and a free training needs analysis to businesses looking to generate growth, create employment or shape training opportunities within the borough of Walsall. Using an online form on the WBS website, bids can be submitted by businesses needing investment in a new project or a company wanting to improve skills.
To apply for a grant, please visit walsallbusinesssupport.co.uk/apply-now/.