14 April 2024
Fife College’s pivotal role in Babcock's award-winning Production Support Operative (PSO) programme has been recognised by the Centre for Engineering, Education and Development (CeeD).
The College, alongside Fife Council, Kingdom Works, trade unions and local community partners, came together to help create Babcock’s new PSO training programme, which aims to address the skills shortage in the shipbuilding industry.
The programme supports existing tradespeople to perform their skilled roles, helps provide additional production resources, and allows PSOs to unlock a new career, and gain new skills and qualifications.
As part of the programme, the first of its kind in the UK, the College delivered bespoke capability development for every PSO at its Rosyth Campus, including health and safety training and specific skills such as grinding and hot work. In total over 150 individuals were recruited by Babcock following their successful PSO training during 2022 and 2023.
The programme was named winner of the ‘Transformational Change through Education & Skills’ category at the Centre for Engineering, Education and Development (CeeD) Industry Awards in February 2024.
Representatives of CeeD recently visited the College’s Rosyth Campus to present the award to staff involved in the programme, further signifying the College’s key role.
The programme has since been recognised by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) Sanctuary Awards with Babcock winning this year’s Social Value category. It has also been shortlisted jointly with Fife College at The Herald's Higher Education Awards in their Outstanding Business Engagement in Colleges category.
Miles Lagan, Head of Business Development at Fife College, said:
“Fife College is honoured to play our part in the award-winning Production Support Operative (PSO) training programme. Collaborating with Babcock, Fife Council, trade unions, and local community partners, we have been able to help address a critical skills shortage in the shipbuilding industry.
"The acknowledgement of our role in the PSO programme not only highlights our commitment to providing bespoke training solutions that ensure upskilling takes centre stage but also our dedication to partnership working that drives real positive change in our communities.
“I would like to thank CeeD for their recognition of the role played by Fife College.”
Joe Pacitti, Managing Director of CeeD, said:
“It is absolutely fantastic to see how a collaborative approach to looking at the long-term skills challenge in a region can be realised into a high value programme. Not only the quality of the training should be commended, but the significant positive impact to the regional economy and the opportunities for the community are exemplary.
“Although all the applications received for the Award category were of the highest quality – it was this collaborative approach to the delivery and the community and regional impact that brought this application to the fore as a clear winner.”
Sean Donaldson, Managing Director of Babcock's Rosyth site, said:
“We are fully committed to making a positive difference to the communities that we serve, providing high-quality jobs that support local economies. Our PSO programme provides a new route to employment for those who may otherwise have found it difficult. Strong community partnerships, engagement and vision are key to the success of this programme and we are delighted that this has been recognised.”
Since the launch of the programme in April 2022, Babcock has employed more than 150 PSOs and will create a further 350 PSO roles over the next four years as part of 1,000 new jobs at their Rosyth site.
For more information about cost-effective tailored training packages that Fife College can offer, visit www.business.fife.ac.uk.
Photograph: Representatives for CeeD are pictured presenting the Fife College team involved in the PSO training programme with the ‘Transformational Change through Education & Skills’ award at the College’s Rosyth Campus.