TTE prepares Cogent apprentices for oil industry

TTE continues to deliver quality training for the Sector Skills Council to the oil and gas extraction industry, Cogent, with the completion of off-site learning for its latest cohort of apprentices

The TTE Technical Training Group has continued to deliver quality training for the Sector Skills Council to the oil and gas extraction industry, Cogent, with the completion of off-site learning for its latest cohort of apprentices.

Following 18 months of vocational learning at the TTE specialist training centre in Middlesbrough, the 12 students will now spend the remainder of their four-year apprenticeship programme working offshore in the North Sea.

This is the third group of Cogent apprentices to benefit from training at TTE.

A fourth group of Cogent apprentices began their training with TTE this year.

Sponsored by industry, the young people will be placed by Cogent with their sponsoring companies off the North East coast of Scotland to achieve the necessary practical experience as well as NVQ level 3.

The apprentices were recruited from across the UK by Cogent to support the skills challenges of the oil and gas industries.

Aged 16 to 20, the apprentices underwent a comprehensive interview process with Cogent.

In addition to delivering the training programme TTE also managed the welfare of the young people including arranging accommodation in nearby Stockton-on-Tees.

As part of an intensive programme the group achieved an HNC-level technical certificate as well as Performing Engineering Operations Level 2 and vital Key Skills.

They also benefited from a 10-week oil and gas trade specialism programme focussed on hydrocarbons.

Utilising the TTE high standard of vocational training facilities, which are designed to provide apprentices with current industry practices and skills, the apprentices were also provided with oil and gas sector cultural knowledge to prepare them for their offshore assignments.

Safety training also played a key part in the apprentices' learning programme to ensure a greater level of competency in the workplace.

Keith Leslie, the TTE Technical Training Group Apprenticeship Business Director, said: "We have been working closely with Cogent for a number of years to deliver safe, motivated and qualified young people into the oil and gas industry.

It is satisfying to see another cohort of young people embark on their offshore assignments armed with the technical and cultural knowledge to become a benefit to the industry" He added: "There is no doubt comprehensive and relevant apprenticeship schemes can form the heart of industry's recruitment and skills development programmes.

Our relationship with employers has allowed TTE to develop accredited training programmes, which meet the demands of industry and can help address the skills issues they face.".

Back to top