The close links between Stanlow refinery and training specialists TTE were further demonstrated recently with the donation of a number of pumps by Essar Oil UK to the Ellesmere Port training provider. South Chemicals Unit Manager Tracy Hughes and Head of Maintenance John Blunden were accompanied by former TTE apprentice Rob Croft and current apprentices Liam Budd and James Bennett when they took the equipment across to the facility based in New Bridge Road.
Essar are helping to train the young engineers, technicians and operators of the future through their association with the TTE Training facility. Established by industry for industry in 1990 as a strategic training provider, TTE moved in 2001 to a £1.8 million purpose built training centre to provide the manufacturing industry with young people trained to the highest standards. TTE has since grown to become one of North West England’s leading providers of sponsored Level 3 apprenticeships in Engineering and Laboratory Operations with Whole Person Development incorporated into the training. Essar currently has 68 apprentices training within the three and half year programme run by TTE.
Essar Head of Maintenance John Blunden explained: “Part of my role is representing Essar while carrying out selection interviews for TTE. During this process I was asked by one of the TTE trainers if we would be able to supply any equipment, as their existing kit was becoming worn out - and in some cases outdated. Having good equipment to work on obviously makes the learning as real as possible within a controlled environment, so it’s essential for good development.
“As resins was announcing its closure I invited the TTE trainers on site to select any equipment from the unit which they deemed suitable and we then used Essar Technicians and existing phase 3 TTE’s to remove the kit to our central workshops. The TTE’s then stripped, cleaned, overhauled and painted the equipment to take it back to ‘as new’, which was a really good exercise in itself for them and one in which they took great pride doing. Finally, we dropped the equipment off at TTE and spent time talking to the staff and students about Essar Oil UK, the excellent standard of training we provide at Stanlow and the part the kit plays in the functioning of the refinery.”
Anne Cannon, TTE Training and Delivery Manager said: “We at TTE (Training Tomorrow’s Engineers) are grateful to Essar for the kind donation of this equipment which we will fully integrate into our delivery of ‘real’ process and engineering training to our young learners.”
