The Composites Skills Alliance has signed up the first of its training providers to deliver accredited Composites training across the UK.

The Alliance, a partnership between the National Skills Academy for Process Industries and Semta, the sector skills council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies, has confirmed four Further Education establishments as the Founder Providers.

Oxford and Cherwell Valley College, Yeovil College, Southampton City College and Burnley College were all identified as having proven experience of Composites delivery. The four colleges offer training across aerospace, automotive, marine and motor sport and are being assisted by the Academy to develop further courses in line with employers needs. Course development will be informed by an Employer Steering Group which includes representatives from across the key composites sectors.

Tom Preece, leading the Composites Skills Alliance, was encouraged by the response of the training providers at a recent event at Pera Innovation Park: "We have seen real strength in the colleges agreeing to work together and wanting to further develop their provision in line with the guidance coming from employers. The colleges differ by target market sector, training facilities and courses available so there is great synergy in them working together."

Mike Williams from Burnley College added: "The Composites Skills Alliance is joining up the training provision in the Composites arena and helping colleges such as ours to develop further courses. Accrediting the college, facilities, trainers and course content will mean that all colleges are delivering to a specific standard. This in turn assures employers that their employees are receiving approved quality training. The Alliance will also benefit colleges by marketing Composites training collectively to employers."