College responds to employer’s needs

Jul 24 2007 by Steve Race, Evening Gazette

KOPPERS UK Ltd has had a distillation site at Port Clarence in operation since the early 1900s and has seen many changes to its name over the years.

The operation provides carbon materials and chemical distillation to a wide range of manufacturing processes throughout the world.

Recently Koppers found it needed to satisfy requirements of COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazards) by demonstrating the “competence” of everyone on its site. Middlesbrough College, having delivered nationally certificated programmes such as the City and Guilds Process Plant Operations both level 2 and 3 previously for the site, was approached by Koppers to work with them in developing a bespoke programme to satisfy this requirement.

The first phase of training has already successfully been delivered to the engineering and laboratory staff. Phase 2 is now set to start in October 2007 for all process operators and shift managers.

This initiative reflects the change the Government is looking for and is an example of how Middlesbrough College is becoming more employer-focused as to what, when and where training can take place.

Within this training programme all the training was delivered on the Kopper’s site at Port Clarence, flexibly around their shift patterns, so as to ensure minimum disruption and maximum effect for the workforce. It also clearly demonstrates the need for both nationally recognised qualifications and bespoke employer-led training.

Jeff Milburn, head of employer engagement at Middlesbrough College says: “The key to our growing success with employers in the Tees Valley is listening and responding to both their short and long-term training requirements as we have demonstrated with Koppers UK Ltd.”

Employer Services direct line 01642 333322 www.mbro.ac.uk/ahts ahts@mbro.ac.uk