Welding Academy
If you’re interested in a career as a welder, 12 training opportunities are currently available at South West College (SWC). If you successfully complete the academy, you will gain industry recognised welding qualifications and be considered for a potential job role with one of the supporting companies.
Training
The Welding Academy is a six-week intensive training course to prepare you for a job role in the engineering and manufacturing sector under the Assured Skills Programme. Those selected for the Academy will study ETCAL Level 2 Performing Engineering Operations and Certified Abrasive Wheels Training.
An Introduction to Robotic Welding (Valk) is being offered to all on the Academy who want to avail of the opportunity. Students will acquire the skills to set up and operate the robot to perform a basic welding task.
If you successfully complete the course, you will be guaranteed a job interview with a supporting company.
Participants will receive a £180 weekly training allowance for the duration of the Academy, as well as help with travelling and childcare costs.
Who can apply
Applicants must:
- be at least 18-years-old
- be eligible to work in the UK at the time of application
How to apply
Apply online at:
Closing date
Applications must be received by 12.00 noon (UK time) on Friday 25 July 2025.
Interview and training dates
SWC will invite eligible applicants to attend an Information session and interview that will take place week beginning Monday 4 August 2025 at the Cookstown Campus.
Successful applicants will attend intensive training at SWC's dedicated training venue at Cookstown from Wednesday 20 August to Tuesday 30 September 2025.
Company information
The supporting companies taking part in the Academy are:
Bruce Engineering
Turco Engineering
NC Engineering
QMAC Engineering
Kennedy Engineering
Specdrum/SpecFab
TBC Conversions
Tracey Concrete
Keystone
Coote Engineering
Portafil International Ltd
- STEMFAB Engineering
Further information
For more information on this academy or to receive updates on new academy opportunities as they arise, email your query to:
Privacy notice
To find out how your information will be managed, you can view the privacy notice for Assured Skills.
Disability Requirements and Reasonable Adjustments Requests
To ensure that all applicants have the chance to perform to the best of their ability in an application or interview situation, any reasonable adjustment needed will be considered if you are offered a place on the academy.
If you need any form of reasonable adjustment to finish the application or interview process note this in the application.
You must provide full details of the adjustment needed and may be asked to give evidence to support your request.