UK rubber manufacturers get new BTEC training course

London – The UK rubber manufacturing industry is to get a much-needed boost to training in the sector thanks to an initiative by the Elastomer Training Action Group (ELTAG).

An expanded rubber technology training course will start this autumn at South Leicestershire College: pitched at level 3 or equivalent – covering three units towards a BTEC qualification.

The course will be based on block release of six one-week sessions spread over the year. It will accommodate between 18 and 20 students, who will be taught in two parallel groups.

Although fully subscribed for 2016/2017, companies are invited to register their interest in placing their staff for future courses, the course organisers said.

The launch follows an approach by ELTAG to rubber manufacturing companies across the UK, according to John Dorken, co-ordinator for the group and director of the British Rubber and Polyurethane Products Association (BRPPA).

“We are delighted that this course is going ahead,” said Dorken. “Our preliminary research had shown that there was a strong need for a course pitched at this level and the strong response we received to our approach to the industry confirmed this.

“The course gives our companies the opportunity to help provide the skills necessary to remain at the forefront in the development and production of high-tech, high value specialised products.”

According to Dorken, ELTAG will keep working to ensure that this sort of training remains a permanent feature in the UK rubber industry and to look at other ways to meet the sector’s skills needs.

“We would very much welcome new members, particularly from employers to ensure that our work fully reflects employers’ needs,” concluded Dorken.

ELTAG was set up in the autumn of 2014 to improve training across the rubber and polyurethane manufacturing industry.

The group comprises the following organisations/companies: ARTIS, the British Rubber and Polyurethane Products Association (BRPPA), Cogent Skills, the Knowledge Transfer Network, Polymer Society of Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, Polymer Recyclers Ltd, South Leicestershire College, Trelleborg and Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre.