'What happens when all the welders retire?'

A welding firm in Derby has launched an in-house training facility in an attempt tackle a declining and ageing workforce.

Tecforce, which specialises in corrosion repair in the rail sector, hopes the centre will create a sustainable flow of skilled young people.

Peter Boulton-Lear, head of training at the Litchurch Lane site, said: "By 2027, we are looking at around a 35,000-man shortfall in the welding sector."

He told the BBC a lot of the firm's workforce were in their 50s and 60s, adding: "What happens when they all retire?"

The new facility, which opened on 6 November, provides scenario-based learning for new employees.

Mr Boulton-Lear, 37, said: "In the last 12 months, the company has done over 150 interviews and only 22 made it through probation.

"Working with brand-new material to pass exams hasn't prepared them for working on things that are not new, which is the majority of work - but colleges can only take them so far with the funding and time that they get.

"A lot of our workforce are in their 50s or 60s and welding is a hard, physical job. They can't necessarily keep doing that so we need those people in the education sector so they are passing on those skills."

According to WorldSkills UK, metal fabrication is one of the most at-risk occupational areas.

Conner Cane, from Mansfield in Nottinghamshire, has worked for the company, which employs about 60 people, as a welding fabricator for more than two years.

The 20-year-old said: "I went straight into college at 16 and did a two-year apprenticeship and then I came here and did my Level 3, so it probably took me about three years to get fully qualified."

Earlier this year, the government announced plans to create 400,000 new jobs in the UK's clean energy sector by 2030 and welders are among 31 priority occupations that are "particularly in demand", ministers have said.

Mr Cane agrees that there is a skills shortage in the sector.

He said: "There aren't really many people getting into stuff like this any more - nowadays, people make too much money online.

"I just find it satisfying, it's like artwork as well sometimes, when you take pride in what you do."

As well as providing scenario-based learning for new starters, the training centre will also be used to upskill existing welders.

Mr Boulton-Lear said he was "really excited" about the opening of the training centre, adding "skills need to be taught".

He said: "I think a lot of people forget that so much of the things that travel to their local area is via the rail industry on freight - the power industry, oil and gas - all of those require welders."

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