Mon, 8 Dec 2008
NSA could train 69,000 apprentices for power industry within first three years.
The UK's power sector has welcomed the government's announcement that it has approved a National Skills Academy (NSA) for the industry, according to reports.
New Energy Focus states that the NSA will cover topics ranging from power generation to transmission, distribution and metering.
Employers will help to shape the curriculum and businesses in the industry have already pledged £500,000 towards the academy, with another £1 million to follow once it is up and running.
Training at the NSA will comprise both on-site and online courses covering skills from NVQ level two up to level eight. As many as 69,000 trainees could graduate from the academy in its first three years.
Tim Balcon, the chief executive of the industry's sector skills council Energy & Utility Skills, said he is "delighted" the NSA will become a reality.
"It will increase training opportunities and improve the quality and relevance of courses, helping to develop clearer career paths for people entering the industry and ensuring workers get nationally recognised qualifications," he commented.
Earlier this month, skills secretary John Denham confirmed four new NSAs in the areas of power, social care, IT and enterprise.
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