“We need to make sure that our own skills are up to standard to ensure the kids are able to enjoy using the equipment safely when making awesome things”, Amy Holmes. Head of Design and Technology at Bluecoat School.
The D&T team at Bluecoat School in Wollaton were looking for a flexible approach to refresher training on their workshop machinery; bandsaw, pillar drill, sanders, and circular saw. To avoid disruption to their teaching schedule, Daltons Wadkin were able to create a bespoke certificated machinery training course over a period of a few weeks. We visited on the final session, which happened to coincide with their World Book Day, “Hence the costumes, we don’t usually come to work dressed like this”, says Amy Holmes.
Refresher training in schools is important because teachers often have other important duties, which in turn means less frequent use on workshop machinery. Warren, certificated machinery trainer at Daltons Wadkin, explained, “Keeping skills up to date and making sure teachers are fully conversant with current legislation and safety regulations is key to making the area where young people are safe for them to be”.
“We decided to go with Daltons Wadkin following once we found out the flexibility was brilliant, what with having lockdowns and so on, and we needed it to fit in a particular time frame.”
“Daltons Wadkin were able to deliver the sessions over a few weeks rather than have it in a full day which was fantastic for us as it meant we didn’t need to get supply teachers in” commented Amy.
Sometimes machinery training can be daunting for some operatives who fear there will be a written exam or test. Daltons Wadkin trainer, Warren, explains that “Wood machining is a practical subject, so we conduct all the training on and around the machine. This approach allows everyone on the course to use the machinery multiple times, and be practically assessed on their ability and safe use of the machine”.
When Elaine Bunfield, Technician at Bluecoat, was looking for training providers she was keen to avoid previous bad experiences which she described as ‘patronising’. Amy and the team praised Warrens training, “Warren has been great, he’s delivered sessions that have not been condescending, they’ve been professional and succinct. He took his time to ask us what our skills were and how we use the machines so he tailored his training to our experience which was really good”, Elaine enthused.
Certificated Machinery TrainingFor more information on certificated operator training, contact Daltons Wadkin on 0115 824 5929, email info@daltonswadkin.com or visit www.daltonswadkin.com
