Published at 15:18, Tuesday, 26 February 2013

THE sponsors of the first SkillsFest 2013 are GEN II, one of Cumbria’s leading work-based learning providers.

GEN II offers a range of courses from foundation learning to degree level in subjects from engineering to business administration, and apprentices at GEN II get paid while they learn.

With an Ofsted outstanding grade, they provide exceptional training from five centres across the county. GEN II works in partnership with some of the county’s leading employers, which means their apprentices receive outstanding training with real career prospects.

Over 98 per cent of GEN II learners complete their apprenticeship and then move directly into full-time employment.

GEN II opened the doors to their new Furness Skills Centre on the Lightburn Trading Estate in Ulverston in October last year. Training at the centre includes apprenticeships in a wide range of subjects, from warehousing to business admin, scientific, commercial courses and standalone NVQ training.

The new centre means that GEN II can now offer Technical Competence Assessments within the workforce to make them more efficient and is something they are already doing in the north of the county with Innovia, Nestle and McVities.

Beeby Bell, operation and innovations manager for Furness said: “We have been steadily growing in the area for the last few years, working with big employers like Glaxo, Oxleys and Oil States MSC.

“Moving to our new centre means that we can offer more courses for local employers and young people.”

Greg Brady, a community apprentice at the Furness Skills Centre, said: “The tutors are an amazing support and it gives you a really good foundation of knowledge in engineering. I am specialising in welding and fabrication and once I have finished my year here, I hope to get a job.”

Recruitment for GEN II’s 2013 intake is already open.

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