Full steam ahead for apprentices' training academy at SVR, Kidderminster (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Full steam ahead for apprentices' training academy at SVR, Kidderminster

7:10am Friday 14th September 2012 in News

SEVERN Valley Railway’s (SVR’s) Kidderminster station has been chosen as the base for a regional training academy.

Vital Skills Training, which supplies training services to the rail, energy, mechanical and electrical and construction sectors, will be able to train 32 apprentices, aged 17 to 24, at Kidderminster.

Developed in partnership with SVR, the academy will teach the theory side of the apprenticeships in on-site, purpose-built classrooms and then put that into practice on a specialist training railway line before progressing to work on the railway network.

The academy will also create jobs for two trainers.

Vital Skills Training, the training arm of Vital Services Group, made a commitment to train 270 rail apprentices in 2012 and the new regional academy will support learners working on projects across the Midlands.

The firm, which has offices across the country, has specially targeted the area to create opportunities for local unemployed people and tackle high levels of youth unemployment, which currently stands at more than 20 per cent in the West Midlands - almost one in four 18 to 24-year-olds.

Lawrence Dobie, education and training director at Vital, said: “We are delighted to be opening a regional training academy in Kidderminster, which will provide a specialist facility for learners to develop their skills in rail engineering.

“Over the next few years there will be high levels of investment in the rail industry across the country, which will create a need for a skilled local work force, so we’re acting now in a bid to get ahead of the curve.

“By providing and generating opportunities for young people, we can help them to broaden their horizons and develop the skills they need to make the most out of what can be a long and rewarding career.”

Nick Ralls, SVR’s general manager, said: “We are excited to welcome the Vital apprentices to work and learn on the Severn Valley Railway line.

“Creating skilled workers is vital not only to the future of the railway industry but to the prosperity of the region as a whole.”

Vital Skills Training is attending next Thursday's jobs fair at Kidderminster Town Hall and is encouraging young people and parents to go and find out more about the opportunities in rail engineering.