Murphy announces Assured Skills Welding Academy at South West College

Economy Minister Conor Murphy today launched the latest Assured Skills Collaborative Welding Academy at South West College (SWC), with 12 training places.

Fully funded by the Department for the Economy, SWC is offering industry standard welding training that will provide participants with the skills to take up potential welding roles with companies in Dungannon and the surrounding area.

Welcoming the Academy, the Minister said:

“This is an excellent opportunity to gain skills that are in high demand in the north and particularly in County Tyrone.

“The engineering sector is hugely important to the local economy and people with welding skills are in high demand in our local engineering and manufacturing sector, as demonstrated by the number of local companies supporting this Assured Skills Academy.

“The training provided by South West College will enable participants to gain the valuable skills and qualifications required to pursue a rewarding career in this important sector.”

Successful applicants will attend a six-week intensive training course delivered by SWC at its dedicated training facility in Cookstown where they will study ETCL Level 2 Performing Engineering Operations and Certified Abrasive Wheels Training. Following completion of the training, participants will be guaranteed an interview to take up a welding position at one of the participating companies.

Ciaran McManus, the Director of Development and Support at South West College, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating:

"We are delighted to be working in partnership with DfE and a range of local employers to offer this fantastic opportunity for people to learn the skills needed to start a rewarding career in welding."

"He further emphasised the importance of engineering as a major sector of employment in the south-west region, highlighting the college's commitment to collaborating with local employers to attract, develop, and nurture new talent. Ciaran sees the new pre-employment Assured Skills Academy as a testament to this commitment, providing a valuable opportunity for local individuals to acquire new skills and potentially secure employment offers.

"He concluded by encouraging those interested and eligible to apply for the programme, underlining its potential to open doors to fulfilling careers in welding for participants."