Four trainee welders at The Bournemouth & Poole College have created a unique piece of art to inspire and motivate others to learn the trade.
The trainees, all apprentices at one of the UK's leading manufacturers of industrial heat exchangers Heatric, are also part of a three year training programme at the college.
Kieran Hillman, from Lymington, Robert Hare, from Poole, Alex Peek, from Southbourne and Liam Parker, from Sandford, have applied their skills and energy to create an extraordinary piece of work. It will be the focus of the refurbished welding department at the college so their project was timed to perfection.
The college has recently invested £100,000 in improvements to the department, including the latest design in welding cubicles and high grade fumes extraction systems. This has resulted in the college now having one of the most advanced and environmentally friendly training centres for welding in the UK.
The fabulous stainless steel welded sculpture is based on a highly sophisticated industrial heat exchanger, a design which has made Heatric a world leader in this technology.
Paul Morris, Heatric’s Training Manager, believes the image of welding has changed radically in recent years, with the advent of new computerised systems, better materials and cleaner techniques.
He said: “Heatric prides itself on the quality of the training it gives its apprentices. They are all examined and graded at every stage of their progress. And when they reach the end of their training, we believe they will be among the most highly skilled welders in the world.
“The heat exchanger project is something these guys can really be proud of. They have put many dedicated hours into it and it will look superb in the new department at the college.”
“Heatric has had an excellent working relationship with The Bournemouth & Poole College and between us over the years, hundreds of young apprentices have gone on to forge successful careers.
"We hope the recent college welding upgrade will help attract new people and give them the skills to help boost the UK's economy.”
The Bournemouth & Poole College currently offers four types of welding course.
- Basic Introduction to Welding - MIG (Short Course)
- Introductory Welding Skills MIG Level 1 (City & Guilds 3268)
- Advanced Welding Skills in TIG Level 2 (City & Guilds 3268)
- Introductory Welding Skills TIG Level 1 (City & Guilds 3268)
For more information about welding courses and engineering courses check out the college website
