Apprentice Welders Blaze a Trail on the Tyne
Just across the road from welding and fabrication business WD Close, students are learning advanced skills for the renewables and subsea industries, using some of the best and most advanced training facilities available.
WD Close has formed a partnership with Newcastle College Energy Academy, helping to shape training provision for tomorrow’s skilled workforce.
Each year, 20 new apprentices enter WD Close’s riverside site and put their skills in welding and fabrication into practice, working on projects for wind and offshore energy clients alongside long-standing employees who, in many cases, have been with the business for more than 30 years.
And in 2022, apprentice welder Courtney Newton was named as The Welding Institute’s Apprentice of the Year, marking the start of what the team at WD Close hopes will be increasing numbers of female apprentices joining the company.
“We have an excellent partnership with Newcastle College Energy Academy. We’re investing in the next generation; they’re the future of our company and they get a great standard of training with Newcastle College, backed up with excellent mentoring from our own team,”
Kelly Scott,
Operations Director at WD Close.
