Engineering professionals urged to become tutors and assessors to help bridge industry’s skills gap

Midlands training provider In-Comm Training has issued a rallying call for engineering and manufacturing professionals to help train the next generation of industry professionals.

With new opportunities ahead in strategic engineering disciplines, the specialist training provider has up to 10 part and full-time vacancies for tutors and assessors at its Aldridge and Telford Technical Academies.

The company, which has pioneered the employer-led model to skills development, has created a comprehensive pathway for experienced engineers and military veterans with a technical background to make the switch to education and help protect vital skills for decades to come.

Mentoring is given to individuals looking to make the switch with professional training resulting in a Level 3 Award in Education and Training and a Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement.

There is also the chance for people to work their way up to qualified teacher status, as well as other professional development opportunities in higher education - all paid for and supported by In-Comm Training.

“We’ve got a wide range of vacancies for specialists, who are keen to pass on their skills in fluid power, general maintenance, mechatronics and electrical engineering,” said Dutch Holland, human resources and learning and development manager.

“Demand for our courses outpace the supply of qualified tutors able to deliver them, so, alongside our current available jobs, we also want to build a pipeline of engineers who may not be ready to move now but want to know what a future teaching career could look like.

“In essence, your skills shape futures and, who wouldn’t want a career that helps build a legacy for others to follow? Real engineers and real experience make the perfect trainer for the next generation.

“The good news is there’s no need for prior teaching experience.

“In-Comm is truly a great place to forge a second career with real purpose: being a dual professional means you can pass on decades of hands-on expertise to apprentices and help close the UK’s engineering skills gap in the process.”

More than 40 tutors and assessors are currently employed at In-Comm Training, the majority of whom are time-served industry professionals and have over 20 years’ experience on average.

They have worked on the shopfloor in automotive, aerospace, construction, defence, nuclear and renewables and decided to give back and step into teaching to deliver real industrial know-how to the manufacturing stars of the future.

One of the more recent recruits is Jon Spruce, who has spent most of his working life in engineering management.

Having achieved a Level 4 HNC in mechanical and production engineering, he was at a crossroads in his career where he wanted to continue using his skills to benefit industry but in a different role than what he was used to.

“It is a massive switch, but one I’m really pleased I made,” said Jon.

“The team at In-Comm has been fantastic in helping me settle into the business and I’ve benefited from structured onboarding, induction, training and ongoing mentoring - the support really was first class.

“There were times where I felt overwhelmed and wanted to bolt for the door, but my colleagues got me through it as they realised I was completely out of my comfort zone.

“Twelve months on and I’m now a qualified engineering assessor bringing together real industry experience and education to ensure our learners stand the best chance of having a successful career and an immediate positive impact with their employers.

“It’s such a satisfying role to be able to give back in a sector that you’ve loved all your life. We can make a real difference in bridging the skills gap, we just need more people to consider this route.”

Former armed forces staff have also been a rich source of talent, with the latest member of the team joining In-Comm Training after spending six years with the army.

Cerys Ives, who spent time training at MOD Lyneham and operational duty at 32 RA LAD Larkhill, brings the leadership skills, confidence and a Level 3 in mechatronics to her new role of assessor.

“At 22 years old, I’m relatively young to be an assessor but I know I have all the technical knowledge that is needed and can relate to some of the challenges learners face during the vocational journey.

“I’m currently studying my CAVA Level 3 certification for vocational assessment and my Level 2 in safeguarding, as well as shadowing more experienced members of the team.

“In-Comm has been very flexible in helping me migrate into this role and understanding of my family situation having just moved to Telford. This makes me feel like I’ve made the right choice, and I can’t wait to start working with employers and learners by the end of September.”