CATCH will be expanding our apprenticeship provision in 2023 with the introduction of premium welding and pipefitting pathways to complement our offer in process operations, mechanical, electrical & instrumentation standards. This has led to the Welding Pipefitting Hub being created, an employer-led project to ensure that our region has the right level of skills to meet the demand not only of existing projects in the process industry sector but to enable the UK to deliver the mega-scale engineering constructions projects that industrial decarbonisation of our industry requires.

The hub will have 4 main capabilities:

• Schools Engagement & STEM based activities
• Level 3 Apprenticeship training
• Upskilling existing employees in industry
• Training programmes to retrain new entrants to industry

Joel, who joins as Head of Welding & Pipefitting, will have the responsibility to drive the project forward and collaborate with industry partners whilst designing, developing, and delivering training and competency solutions to help bridge the skills gaps.

Lewis joins the team as Pipefitting trainer and will ensure that the learners who come to the centre have the suitable knowledge, skills and behaviours to make the transition into industry. Lewis was an apprentice at the CATCH facility in 2007 and is returning back after time in industry and education.

Joel and Lewis are joining CATCH from Grimsby Institute, where they have played a leading role in developing excellent training provision that is well regarded in the industry.

CATCH Chief Operating Officer James McIntosh said “I am pleased to formally announce that Joel and Lewis will be coming to CATCH in what I feel is a major coup for the organisation. They join us with an excellent reputation from employers and people in the training sector and I am excited to see how they can progress Welding & Pipefitting training in the region –  as it plays a critical role in ensuring our employers have a skilled and competent workforce. ”

Joel Broddle said “I am really pleased to be joining CATCH, they are at the forefront of our regional training needs. The Welding and Pipefitting Hub is an exciting addition to CATCH and I am really looking forward to getting started and working with the employers to deliver exceptional courses. The area is going to need skilled people to close the growing skills gap and we want CATCH to be the place people think of first for their training needs.”

Lewis Bugg added “I’m really excited to be joining the CATCH team, I am feeling very nostalgic having the opportunity to return to the place where it all began for me. I’m looking forward to stepping into the role and bringing my knowledge and skills after making this journey myself to the next generation of skilled trades people.

After working in the industry and with some of the companies we hope to have on board, I’ve seen how the skills gap that has grown within the sector and I am keen to start bridging this gap for the future of the industry.”

Joel & Lewis will be starting at CATCH on 8^th May and are continuing to recruit further trainers as part of the Welding & Pipefitting Hub project, further details will be announced shortly.