A supplier of advanced composite material kits to the aerospace and high-performance manufacturing sectors with UK facilities in Burnley, Fareham and Alabama in the USA,
Velocity Composites plc is investing in the future of its workforce by embracing the T-Levels programme.
This initiative championed by Oliver Smalley (pictured above) — the company’s newly appointed chief operations officer — who aims to cultivate the pipeline of talent ‘essential for supporting the company’s continued growth and operational efficiency across all its sites’ and brings nearly 15 years of experience in the aerospace industry, covering both composites, metallics, and complex manufacturing environments.
T-Levels, a Level 3 qualification equivalent to three A-Levels, are designed as a two-year programme to provide students with the core knowledge and skills needed for entry into various engineering, manufacturing, process, and control occupations. A significant component of the T-Level is an industry placement that requires a minimum of nine weeks working with an employer; doing so enables students to gain an understanding of broad sector issues such as materials and their properties, essential mathematics, design processes, and business awareness. Specialised modules cover areas such as fitting and assembly, machining, composites manufacturing, and fabrication and welding technologies.
Velocity Composites, a company known for its expertise in manufacturing advanced carbon fibre and ancillary material kits, sees the T-Level programme as a crucial pathway to developing the next generation of manufacturing and engineering technicians, roles directly relevant to careers achievable with this qualification, such as aerospace engineering technician, mechanical engineering technician, materials technician and welder.
Shaping the skills of the future workforceMr Smalley said: “Building high-performing teams is fundamental to our success. My leadership style emphasises collaboration and continuous improvement. Investing in T-Levels allows us to shape the skills of the future workforce, ensuring they are equipped with both the theoretical knowledge and practical experience required in our advanced composite manufacturing facilities.
“This programme is a vital component of our strategy to empower individuals and enable teams to thrive, while maintaining a clear focus on our overarching business goals. I see T-Levels as a direct way to build the skills base needed for our continued expansion, particularly as we grow our international capability.”
Jon Bridges, Velocity Composites’ CEO, concluded: “The long-term outlook for the industry is strong, with production rates increasing for both existing and new business. Our ability to meet this demand relies heavily on having a skilled and capable workforce across all our sites. Oliver’s operational expertise and focus on efficiency and team empowerment are invaluable as we implement programmes like T-Levels. This investment in talent is a critical enabler of our growth strategy, helping us to deliver our commitments to all stakeholders and reinforcing our competitive position within the industry for the future.”