The Level 2 Industrial Coatings Applicator standard has been developed by employers for coatings applicators involved with preparing the surface of new or existing steel structures and involved with applying the correct protection coatings.
Based in Wirral, Levy paying employer The Hankinson Group was a significant participant in the trailblazer group that helped set the new Apprenticeship Standard and has already enrolled four employees on the Industrial Coatings Applicator programme.
Stephen Hankinson, group chairman of the Hankinson Group, said: “There is an urgent need to get apprentices into our sector to meet the demands of forthcoming infrastructure projects, particularly across road, rail, construction, energy and other key STEM industries. Having highly-skilled Industrial painters available and delivering quality work helps reduce whole life cost of assets and reduces risk due to asset failure."
“Prior to the launch of this apprenticeship there was no way to encourage new entrants into the sector, so this is a major step forward. We are delighted to be taking on four industrial painting apprentices and to be working with Skills Training UK and their innovative delivery model.”
Adam Swain, aged 24 from Wirral, Level 2 coatings applicator apprentice at The Hankinson Group, said: “The Apprenticeship is a great opportunity for me to gain an industry recognised qualification as a competent Industrial Coatings Applicator which will be hugely beneficial to my career.”
Sam Cunningham, materials testing account manager at Skills Training UK, said: “With a growing need for competent Industrial Coatings Applicators, we are pleased to offer the new Apprenticeships standard for employers who are looking to develop their staff with relevant industry qualifications.We look forward to helping to grow the next generation of competent industrial painters.”
Partnering with industrial coatings specialists ‘Train the Painter’, training modules will be delivered through a combination of on-site visits, classroom workshops and online learning modules. Skills Training UK will offer employers guidance on Apprenticeship Levy funding and recruitment, while specialist trainer assessors will visit apprentices monthly to deliver functional skills and 1-to-1 support.
Lucy Pavia, operations manager at Train the Painter and the Corrodere Academy, said: “As an internationally accredited coating applicator training provider, we are delighted to be working with Skills Training UK to launch this new Apprenticeship standard and to deliver innovative training to employees within the sector.”
