Rochdale Training, Renold Gears and RAF team up for training

Rochdale Training, Renold Gears and RAF team up for training

Locally trained RAF engineer Corporal Charlie Attwood was this week back home showing boys from Hollingworth Business amp; Enterprise College just where a career in engineering can take them.

The Year 10 boys were taking part in a pilot scheme run by the RAF’s North West Motivational Outreach Team at Renold Gears’ training centre in Milnrow run by Rochdale Training. The aim of the scheme is to introduce young people to engineering operations including hand skills, measuring and materials and forms part of the NVQ level 1 they are studying. In this pilot they have measured, cut, filed and riveted a photo frame using the same skills Corporal Attwood uses when he’s repairing Tornado’s and other aircraft. 

Corporal Attwood did his own apprenticeship in engineering with Rochdale Training back in the late 1980s.

After a year with Rochdale Training Corporal Attwood began work at William Tatham’s and continued his apprenticeship through Hopwood Hall College before joining the RAF in 1990. As an air force engineer Corporal Attwood has gone on to work in the important role of maintaining aircraft before they go out on military duties. He has worked in all areas of maintenance such as hydraulics, pneumatics, wheels, tyres, brakes, engines, structures and glass and comments: “If it wasn’t for the initial training and good practice that Rochdale Training taught me I wouldn’t be where I am today. Being an engineering apprentice can lead to a lifetime of interesting and worthwhile jobs. It’s definitely what I’d recommend to my kids.”

Colin Bates, training manager at Renold Gears training centre says: “It’s great to know where Rochdale Training’s apprentices get to. We’ve trained hundreds over the years and it’s good to see our lads giving something back to the community. Corporal Attwood is a fantastic role model for the local children and I’m sure we’ll continue with this RAF project in the future.”

For more information on apprenticeships and engineering training contact Tony Rothwell at Rochdale Training on 01706 631417 or email tony@rochdaletraining.co.uk