Ford Engineering, one of the most successful engineering businesses in our region, has teamed up with Gateshead College to set up the Ford Engineering Academy.
Designed to help you to build the skills, knowledge and confidence employers are looking for, the academy will put you in the best possible position to go onto successfully securing an engineering or manufacturing apprenticeship or your first job in the industry.
Key benefits
About the academy
Pioneered by the late Geoff Ford MBE, the academy was set up to give young people the skills, knowledge and experience they need to start a successful engineering career or find an apprenticeship. As Chairman of Ford Engineering, a multi million pound business that supplies precision-machined components to the global aerospace market, Geoff recognised a need to provide good quality, foundation training that focused on developing both the skills and attitudes that employers are looking for and was passionate about helping the sector to develop a skilled workforce of the future.
This year long training programme has been designed for those without any formal qualifications but with the aspiration and ambition to work in the engineering or manufacturing industry.
The programme combines education and skills training that is specifically tailored to the engineering industry and will help you to build the skills you need to successfully move onto an apprenticeship or further training.
At the core of the programme is a high quality work experience placement with one of our partners including Unipres, Liebherr, Tyneside Safety Glass and EDM zone. English and maths qualifications and work preparation training are also a key part of the course which will give you a brilliant start to developing the skills, attitude and a work ethic expected by employers.
The programme includes:
The programme will also cover:
This qualification gives you a broad introduction to the practices and processes of engineeringtechnology. It covers basic knowledge, understanding and skills that are relevant to a wide variety of careers and study routes and takes a hands-on approach to basic engineering training by providing you with:
There may be other fees for safety boots and overalls. We’ll let you know about this during the enrolment process.
Our workshops and equipment are industry standard and include a range mechanical maintenance equipment including:
Whatever support you need, we’re here for you and will make sure you get the most out of your time at college.
We have expert teams in place to look after every single one of our students.
Our specialist teams can help with:
See here for more information, pop into one of our enrolment events, call us on 0191 490 4627.
When you finish the course, you can:
You will require an assessment and interview to assess your level.
You’ll need good communication skills, plenty of enthusiasm and the ability to work with other people.
“The training gave me the skills, experience and confidence I needed to start my apprenticeship. Now I can continue to learn my trade on the shop floor at a great company whilst earning a wage.” – Rhys Donald, Ford Engineering Apprentice.
You will take part in a meaningful work experience placement with one our of partners.
The placement will be designed to help you put your learning into practice and will offer a valuable opportunity to get a taste of the real world of work, feedback from engineering mentors and the chance to see for yourself what an apprenticeship or job in engineering might be like.
Our partners include:
This course is free to those aged under 19 years old.
Most people aged 19 years and over can qualify for free or reduced price course fees and there are grants and bursaries you can apply for to help cover the costs of coming to college, depending on your circumstances.
If you already have a full level 3 qualification and are aged 19 years over, you can apply for an Advanced Learning Loan or pay the fee upfront in full and qualify for a 10% discount.
You can get more information at our enrolment events, by calling 0191 490 2246 or email us at [email protected]
Whatever support you need, we’re here for you and will make sure you get the most out of your time at college. We have expert teams in place to look after every single one of our students.
To contact our dedicated Learning Support team email [email protected] or head to Live Chat
View or download our course guide for 16-18 year olds.