UK: Another Adult Training Programme at A&P Falmouth Completed

Two more trainees are celebrating becoming fully-qualified steel and pipe fabricators after completing an adult training programme at A&P Falmouth.

Jason Tregenza, aged 37, and 22-year-old Kyle Head, both from Falmouth, have been learning their trade in the company’s pipe work department for the past three years.

Jason, a former taxi driver, said: “I’ve never been a skilled worker – until now. To think that the company has invested in my future makes me feel very proud. We’re both local lads with local jobs and I’m over the moon to be here at A&P.”

Kyle said: “Everyone knows how difficult it can be for young people to find work these says, so to have a secure job, with full training and future prospects is a dream come true. I feel very lucky to have had this opportunity.”

A&P Falmouth has invested heavily in training and apprenticeships since 1989 and 120 apprentices have been recruited in four main trade disciplines – marine engineering, electrical, steel fabrication/welding and pipe fabrication/fitting.

In 2007, the company embarked on its first adult training programme with two riggers. Since then a total of 33 adult trainees have undertaken in-house training programmes to help maintain the skill base in the company. Fifteen of these completed training in engineering, steel and pipe fabrication, rigging and skilled painting, and are now established members of the company’s workforce.

A further 13 employees are still in training – including five engineers, under the watchful eye of former engineering area manager Keith Hawke, who has notched up almost 50 years of service with the company; four electricians, two riggers and two in the port operations department.

More than 40 of A&P Falmouth’s current employees are over 60 years old, and the company is fully committed to building on the marine skill base that has been honed over 150 years of ship repair at Falmouth Docks.

Plumbing supervisor Dennis McGinn is one of the company’s longest continuous serving employees, and a former apprentice, who started at the docks in 1963. He said: “I know from my own experience Jason and Kyle have been very lucky to have been given this opportunity. They’ve done a brilliant job and my advice to them would be to apply themselves and never become complacent. I’ve been here 48-and-a-half years and I still haven’t stopped learning yet.”

Managing director Peter Child said: “Empowering our workforce has always been a priority for us and we are proud of our training programmes. We strongly believe that investing in sustainable, highly skilled jobs is the future for our dockyard and would like to offer our congratulations and thanks to Jason and Kyle for all their hard work and commitment.”

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Subsea World News Staff , April 23, 2012;  Image: A&P