Three cheers for Red Funnel as news reaches us that they’ve just agreed to a 50% discount for the 12 ex-Vestas workers who are retraining at Southampton City College.
Readers might remember the story we published last month about the 12 workers who have signed up to retrain in specialised aluminium welding.
The generous deal will allow the former wind turbine workers to travel between the Island and the City College everyday for the next seven months with a 50% discount on ferry fares, helping making the retraining affordable.
Ken Cast, Marine Skills Manager at City College, said: “We are extremely grateful to Red Funnel for sponsoring such an event that has positive outcomes for all concerned. These people have decided to make complete career changes and have committed themselves fully to this project. Being made redundant is incredibly difficult with stress due to financial worries. These men have taken their future in their hands by enrolling on this course so soon after losing their jobs and are being proactive in making the necessary changes to return to employment with a different skills set. It’s therefore refreshing that a local high-profile company such as Red Funnel has also made a commitment to this forward-looking group of people.”
James Fulford, CEO of Red Funnel, added: “What’s important for us is to see people are going out there to gain the skills they need and make their own successes, rather than waiting for it to come to them. That is exactly what these people have done and for that reason we were delighted to be able to offer our support.”
If you’re interested in finding out more about the new aluminium welding course contact Ken Cast at City College by e-mailing kc(at)southampton-city.ac.uk or calling 02380 724722.
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