FOUR companies have joined the internship programme at a new college in Berkeley.

GE Aviation, Omega Engineering Services, Delphi and have become the latest companies to sign-up for the programme at SGS Berkeley Green UTC (university technical college).

Students at the college at the Gloucestershire Science and Technology Park (formerly the power station site), will be given opportunities to work at participating companies to gain experience.

Cheltenham-based Omega Engineering Services’ managing director, Michael Gibbin, said: “In the growing and safety critical aerospace industry, it is vitally important to inspire and train our young engineers.”

As with all UTCs, SGS Berkeley Green's curriculum has been developed in partnership with employers.

Learners can join the college, which is due to open in September, in either year 10 or year 12 to reflect the 14-19 age-range of learners studying at UTCs.

The year 10 intake will follow the national curriculum enabling them to achieve the same number of GCSEs as they would in a school, but they will also spend additional time focused on undertaking specialist vocational education and projects.

This element will be led by employers, in the areas of advanced manufacturing, engineering, cyber security and digital technologies.

Speaking about the internship scheme, Kathrin Beckerleg from Delphi, which has a base in Stonehouse, said: “There is a massive skills shortage for experienced engineers, and this will only deteriorate further unless we engage with students to highlight the variety of inspiring opportunities available locally.

“As a renowned apprentice and graduate employer, Delphi are always excited about new opportunities to help students apply learning to real life situations.”

The year 12 intake will have the opportunity to do A-levels, technical qualifications or a mixture of both which will be run alongside other industry relevant courses which will give progression routes into University or straight into a career.

Successful applicants for the internship programme will be given a minimum of four weeks work placement each year, a minimum of five days mentoring from the firm each year, a contribution to educational supplies and workwear and a guaranteed interview once the course is completed.

Employers in the engineering or digital technology sectors that would like to take part in the scheme should email interim principal Andrew Keenan at andrew.keenan@sgscol.ac.uk.