Southampton City College and Red Funnel lend a helping hand to ex-Vestas workers

[Laura Downton]

SOUTHAMPTON City College, the only college in the Solent region to offer a specialised aluminium welding course, has announced that it is working in conjunction with Red Funnel to help organise 50 per cent discounted travel for 12 ex-Vestas workers. The deal will enable the former wind turbine workers to travel from their homes on the Isle of Wight to attend City College’s new aluminium welding course everyday for the next seven months.

The sponsorship means it is more affordable for the students to get to City College, where they are learning vital new skills to help them get back into employment with a complete career change.

The redundant workers are among the first on City College’s new aluminium welding course, which is the first of its kind in the Solent region. The aluminium welding course is set to benefit the south coast’s boat building industry, where a shortage of skilled aluminium welders has been an issue for some time. The course is unique as the methodologies will be taught for plating in excess of 40mm in thickness, which will require modern techniques being taught to ensure full penetration welds.

Ken Cast, Marine Skills Manager at City College, said: “We are extremely grateful to Red Funnel for sponsoring such an event that has positive outcomes for all concerned. These people have decided to make complete career changes and have committed themselves fully to this project. Being made redundant is incredibly difficult with stress due to financial worries. These men have taken their future in their hands by enrolling on this course so soon after losing their jobs and are being proactive in making the necessary changes to return to employment with a different skills set. It’s therefore refreshing that a local high-profile company such as Red Funnel has also made a commitment to this forward-looking group of people.”

James Fulford, CEO of Red Funnel, added: “What's important for us is to see people are going out there to gain the skills they need and make their own successes, rather than waiting for it to come to them. That is exactly what these people have done and for that reason we were delighted to be able to offer our support.”

For more information on the aluminium welding course contact Ken Cast at City College by e-mailing [e-mail] or calling 02380 724722.