Welding with Weldability Sif & The Princes Trust

Weldability Sif has been working in partnership with youth charity The Prince's Trust to deliver the first ever ‘Get Into Welding’ programme based in Hertfordshire. Ten young people aged 18 to 25 who are unemployed or facing barriers to employment were given the opportunity to build their skills and enhance their career opportunities within the welding industry.

A two week programme provided the students with an EAL accredited level 1 MIG welding qualification and workshops to help them develop key employability skills. This will help to kick start a path for ongoing training in TIG, MMA, positional, stainless and aluminium welding within employer-oriented apprenticeships.

Jessica Maher, a student who recently completed the ‘Get Into Welding’ level 1 MIG course said: “I enjoyed the practical tasks and learning a new skill. I found that this course has given me an in-depth understanding of the initial stages of welding”.

Many of the students found the course was likely to lead them towards further study and a potential career within the industry. Josh Fox received his certificate for completing his level 1 MIG course and said: “The course was good fun and very enjoyable. I could definitely see myself as a welder in the future.”

Paul Savage, Welding Tutor at Weldability Sif was impressed with the desire and teamwork of the students during the two week course. He said: “This group has been great to be around, a reminder that insecurities and doubt can all be overcome. They have all supported each other in ways you would not have imagined possible at the beginning of the course. These young people have boundless levels of enthusiasm and energy. Helping to channel this into learning a new skill and seeing their progress is so rewarding”.

Adrian Hawkins, Chairman of Weldability Sif, helped to bring the programme together. Upon completion of the first ever ‘Get Into Welding’ partnership with The Prince’s Trust, Adrian said: The work undertaken by The Prince’s Trust is truly excellent in that they try to inspire young people to find their own way in life. As you can see our recent group had a fun time and there are truly great employment opportunities for High Integrity Welders worldwide. Our arrangements at our training centre is merely the first step towards a rewarding and well paid career in the Welding Industry and hopefully these young people will go on to a Weldability Sif Foundation training school across the UK to develop further. We are grateful to The Prince’s Trust for showing such support to our Industry in this way.

John O’Reilly, Director for The Prince’s Trust in Central England said, “We know that most young people are motivated to get into work and often just need a chance to prove their worth. We are delighted to work with Weldability Sif to provide young people with the tools they need to kick start their careers and be successful in their lives.”

Youth charity The Prince’s Trust helps disadvantaged young people to get their lives on track. Founded by HRH The Prince of Wales in 1976, this year The Trust is celebrating 40 years of supporting 13 to 30 year-olds who are unemployed and those struggling at school and at risk of exclusion.

Find out more about welder training available from Weldability Sif by visiting www.learn-to-weld.com