Rugby business donates steel to college and sees four new apprentices start training

A Rugby-based welding and fabrication business has donated vital materials which will help to support the development of apprentices at a leading college in Warwickshire.

TS Metals, part of the Quartzelec group, has donated half a tonne of 3mm thick mild steel to Royal Leamington Spa College – which is part of college group WCG (Warwickshire College Group).

The donation further strengthens the company’s relationship with the college and comes as their four new apprentices joined the college last month to start a two-year welding apprenticeship journey.

In addition to the four new starters, one current employee has moved onto a Level 3 Metal Fabrication apprenticeship, whilst another TS Metals employee has recently completed the end point assessment for his Level 6, degree qualification.

TS Metals was founded in 1990 and employs 27 people in Rugby. It undertakes welding and fabrication services as part of a larger assembly process, or for customers in a specialist subcontract capacity as well as bespoke laser cut solutions. 

Ian Addison, Business Manager at TS Metals, said: “It is vitally important for our business that we invest in our future and apprenticeships are a fundamental element of our plan for success and longevity.

“Ensuring that the right training is in place with the right training provider to support our growing apprentice intake is key.

“Our apprentices have been thriving during their training with WCG at Royal Leamington Spa College and we were pleased to be able to show our thanks with a donation of materials to support learners in their studies.”

Trevor Gibbs, workshop lead at the college, said: “We have received two donations of steel from TS Metals and it has been gratefully received by the welding team here at the college. It will enable us to deliver practical training for our welding apprentices.

“The group from TS Metals have started training with us now and one of the students in particular has a lot to live up to, as I had the privilege of working with his grandfather.”

Sarah Ashmore, Business Development Manager at WCG, said: “Our relationship with TS Metals has gone from strength to strength over the last year, and has grown into a positive arrangement of working together to find the right solutions for their business.

“We had a very successful recruitment campaign for their apprentices this year, with four new starters and another moving onto the next level. The business now has apprentices training with us from Level 2 to Level 6, which is testament to the high-standard of training delivered at the college.

“The donation of metal is amazing and long may it continue. We work with many organisations on donations to support our students and they are all champions of working with their community and local colleges.”

To find out more about courses at WCG visit www.wcg.ac.uk/study