Social Impact
The Arc Start Programme
The Weld space is keen to have a social impact in the Plymouth and runs a welding courses programme for Plymouth’s youth who are out of work or looking at the next stage in there life.
Our ‘Arc Start Programme’ is a social enterprise project designed to engage 18-24-year-olds that are out of work or looking at the next stage of their career. Who are interested in exploring a career in manufacturing specifically Welding and Fabrication.
The programme is supported by ticketed events sold by The Weld Space. We work in partnership with Plymouth Skills Launch Pad to reach our target group. Attendees on the programme will learn skills based on making through group workshops. That will teach them basic to advanced levels of metalworking skills. Through a half-day sessions over 3 weeks, the participants will explore different types of welding processes; including MIG, STICK, and TIG Welding and take a look at skills required for Metal Fabrication roles.
We want participants through our programme to have a chance to experience fabrication and understand if they prefer the creative part of metalwork or the process of welding. Our learning outcomes focus on; educating the participants with a deeper knowledge of metalwork, enjoyment, inspiration, and creativity. With the hope of providing everyone enrolled with a sense of personal progression into their chosen pathways.
Our scheme is designed to act as a bridge between Creativity, Culture and Industry.
A recent enrollee in our Arc Start Programme, designed to ignite and develop interest in a welding career.
Jordan was always intrigued by the welding and was eager to learn more about it. During the programme, Jordan was able to explore different welding techniques, including MIG, MMA and TIG welding. Having done a bit of MIG welding before.
Jordan was particularly interested to challenge himself and try his hand at TIG welding, it quickly became his favourite process.
Jordan loved the precision and detail required in TIG welding and found it incredibly satisfying to create clean, high-quality welds.
With the help of our tutor, Jordan enjoyed honing his welding skills and developed a newfound understanding of the craft.
"The Arc Start Programme was a fantastic experience for me. I loved the short format and the opportunity to explore different welding processes. Being able to try my hand at MIG, MMA and TIG welding was a great way to understand the differences between the three, and find the welding method that suited me best. It's amazing how much you can learn in just a short amount of time when you have knowledgeable instructors and a supportive environment”.
We were thrilled to have helped Jordan explore his interest in welding. He is interested in setting up his own business offering mobile fabrication service.
Meet Jordan, 23.
If you fall into this bracket you can get referred to this scheme by the Skills Launch Pad Plymouth. They are based in Barclays and offer advice and support to people looking to up-skill.
The Scheme is designed to run once a quarter with a maximum of 4 people or minimum of 2 participants.
It’s run by the Weld Spaces main Tutor Richard Evans.
