Eleven centres to deliver ECITB 2023 scholarship programme
Eleven centres throughout the UK will run ECITB scholarships from Autumn 2023.
Now in its fourth year, the ECITB has just awarded the contracts to deliver its flagship new entrant programme that will see 158 new scholars starting in August and September. The centres, which will soon start recruitment for scholars, include East Coast College, Pembrokeshire College, Harrow, Richmond and Uxbridge Colleges (Formerly RUTC), Middlesbrough College, NETA (Teesside), Lakes College, Engineering College (Birkenhead), Cheshire College South and West, Forth Valley College, UHI Shetland, and North East Scotland College (NESCol).
Andy Brown, Interim Chief Executive of the ECITB, says, “The purpose of the scholarship programme is to provide a sustainable pipeline of new talent for industry by providing a grounding in the industrial knowledge and skills that are in demand. Our employers have told us that they need more Level 2 scholars. So, we have increased the number of scholarships from 100 in 2022 to 158 and we have made almost all of these Level 2. We are working in partnership with the eleven excellent training providers to deliver the programme and meet these industry needs.”
Twenty places at Harrow, Richmond and Uxbridge Colleges will be split between Project Control and Design and Drafting. NESCol will again run the Wind Turbine Technician pathway. All of the Scholars at these two centres will complete their studies over two academic years and be ready for employment in June/July 2025. The nine other centres will run Level 2 craft (or equivalent pathways) with a focus on fabrication and welding skills and with the learners completing their studies within 37 weeks.
The ECITB has established employer panels in almost all scholarship areas. This enables employers to help with recruitment, offer work placements and talent-spot future recruits. Mr Brown adds, “We have established these in all the major Industrial ‘hot spot’ areas across England, Scotland and Wales, with the most northerly centre being on Shetland.” The scholarship programme is aimed at 16-19 year olds and is co-funded through ECITB and government funding. Scholars who complete the programme will have the foundation skills to move into apprenticeships in industry or as direct site hires.