Centre for Assessment of Technical Competency - Humber, for proper scale learning

05.03.2008

Camtique commission shift handover software, "STAR" at CATCH.

Ian Paddock of "Camtique" has supported the aims of CATCH for some time and was so confident of its success that he recently offered the licensed use of production software allowing CATCH to instigate shift handover in a data format which will build a plant operational history for the benefit of students at the centre and for CATCH management needs. The system is designed around the specific plant hierarchy in place and allows recording and searching facilities to track all manner of events surrounding effective business/plant operation. In addition day-to-day maintenance activity by CATCH technicians everything operational is logged to support our maintenance management system. Developed in conjunction with BASF Seal Sands this database is fully tested and claims are that it is bug free. So far we are able to confirm this and it is available to the market as a production software tool. STAR stands for Shift Tracking Action Recording and that's it in a nutshell. Gone are paper records and the risk of loss or damage and, with standard network backup in place, a reliable database system is accessible around the site. Find out more by Emailing Ian Paddock from this link.

08.10.2007

The Grimsby Institute delivers Instrument awareness at CATCH for NEW recruits at Novartis.

For the second time this year the Grimsby Institute were asked to deliver a proven Instrument Awareness course for NEW recruits joining local Pharmaceutical manufacturer, Novartis. Liaising with their training people the course is designed to be informative on the kind of instrumentation typically found on a plant such as Novartis. The aim is not an end qualification at this stage. This will be left to Novartis to determine competence through their excellent on-site NVQ centre at a point in the future following rigorous developmentand monitoring of perfomance in a live plant environment.

05.09.2007

The Grimsby Institute provides a containment perfomance review at CATCH for a forthcoming Total LOR shutdown .

All system break-ins for an imminent shutdown are high on the safety agenda both during the shutdown and forward from the start-up of the plant. For this reason Total LOR has worked with all concerned to devise a performance refresher course and practical review for all craftsmen contracted to do this work. This refresher will assure the correct application of skills to provide for containment at the refinery following completion of the work schedule. CATCH introduced the Grimsby Institute for this work based on their ongoing engineering construction training expertise linked with courses such as the National Apprenticeship Scheme delivered on behalf of the ECITB at CATCH.

20.08.2007

HETA enables a move to CATCH for their south bank operation.

Humberside Engineering Training Association (HETA) is here at CATCH most days working hard to achieve a deadline to be operating at CATCH from 4th September 2007.

Work has begun to bring their designated area online and to a standard that will be appreciated by HETA's many Client partners. Workshop fitting out, building a small process rig and the creation of a seperate AM2 facility are all underway. In addition, classrooms and new offices will all be furnished to a high standard ready for opening the door for business.

20.08.2007

The Grimsby Institute prepares for more ECITB apprentices at CATCH.

After a successful first year at CATCH the Grimsby Institute has been awarded the delivery of the ECITB's national apprenticeship scheme for another year. Increased numbers are indicated in additon to more available trades.

CATCH has responded with a programme of expansion to accommodate this growing commitment to national apprenticeship numbers in Humberside. We look forward to a busy year ahead in 2007-08.

12.07.2007

Hull College launches first international course at CATCH .

After months of detail planning Hull College launches its partnership with CATCH by bringing the first international programme to our site on behalf of the BP Angolan Business Unit. The first traunch of students arrived at CATCH in July to experience process operations training first hand utilising CATCH's Process Plant for the first time. This follows a period of intense commissioning to embrace the specific practical needs of this unique course curriculum. Ensuring the course started smoothly was input by Emerson Process Management, Hull College, BP (ABU) and CATCH. We look forward to an enjoyable first training experience on this scale and wish Hull College a successful first year with us on our site. Hull College is gearing up to offer more south bank solutions as they become established at CATCH.

12.07.2007

Prosimm from TTE launches at CATCH.

Visitors to CATCH for the launch of a new DCS simulation suite by the Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, Cllr. Stewart Swinburn, were given a presentation by TTE and a chance to experience this latest addition to the CATCH offering. TTE and TSC, the software writers/publishers, worked jointly with CATCH to produce the right environment for control room experiential training. The bank of courses is branded Prosimm and the system was chosen for the realistic feel offered to delegates exposed to the industry-linked scenarios within the system. A group of recently trained personnel from Nippon Gohsei provided a demo of the suite's capabiility to onlookers at CATCH. We look forward to supporting the chemical manufacturing partners across the region with this world-class facility for their basic training needs and emergency management capability, all in safe surroundings that looks and feels like the real thing.

15.05.2007

Relocation of the HETA Southbank Operation to CATCH (Business Telegraph 15th May 2007).

We are pleased to announce that Humberside Engineering Training Association (HETA) is to relocate their Southbank operation to CATCH ready for the next intake of apprentices in September this year.

Since 1967, HETA has trained over 4500 engineering apprentices at its centres in Hull and Grimsby, the latter currently on the Bluestar Fibres (formerly Acordis) site. The client companies who place apprentices with HETA recognise the benefits of training within our authentic chemical plant environment and were keen to see HETA deliver at CATCH. As a result, we entered into discussions and have reached a partnership agreement.onstrating skills that they have learned whilst on the course at CATCH. Apprenticeships at CATCH benefit from a full-scale work-based environment mirroring many sites in the Humber region.

CATCH and HETA are both committed to supporting the Chemical and Allied Industries in the Humber Region through the facilitation and provision of high quality training for apprentices and the existing workforce. Companies will be able to choose HETA as provider and ensure that their learners gain experience in working on a wide range of industrial plant under industry-standard safe working practices. We will, of course, continue to work with a wide range of training providers and seek to develop other partnerships, to meet the needs of industry. This agreement extends and strengthens the available options.

As well as moving apprentice training, HETA will be transferring a significant amount of adult training to CATCH. Their AM2 electrical testing centre will be relocated as well as their new C&G 2391 course and refrigeration courses.

The CATCH facility was officially opened by Sir Digby Jones on 19th September 2006, with HCCTA as the operating company, and is increasingly being seen as the first point of contact for training solutions by local companies.

If you would like to know more about CATCH, or to discuss how we can help with your training or competence assessment needs, please contact me or call Alan Buckley, our Solutions Manager, on (01469) 552833

Clive Rounce, General Manager, CATCH.

27.03.2007

ECITB showcase CATCH at a recent recruitment evening.

"Wembley Stadium, The Millennium Stadium, Heathrow T5, The Gherkin, Offshore oil and gas rigs; some of these awe-inspiring buildings of the twentieth and twenty-first century would simply not be here if it weren't for the engineering construction industry" said ECITB. ENGINEER YOUR FUTURE (Yorkshire & Humberside) is the branding for this year's recruitment campaign for budding new apprentices for this industry. The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) has indicated a requirement for more apprentices at the CATCH centre from September 2007. Typical trades are Welder, Pipefitter, Plater, Mechanical Fitter, Steel Erector, Electrotechnical and Techncians. Companies took stands at the event with the intention of meeting interested applicants and their parents at an early stage in the recruitment process. Displays were by ECITB, LES Engineering, Fabricom Suez, Grayton Engineering, O'Hare S&E Engineering, Weir Turbomachinery and TEI.

104 potential applicants and their parents attended the evening event and were offered a tour of the CATCH facility as an industry taster. Many of these family groups took advantage of a tour and saw current ECITB apprentices, managed by the Grimsby Institute, demonstrating skills that they have learned whilst on the course at CATCH. Apprenticeships at CATCH benefit from a full-scale work-based environment mirroring many sites in the Humber region.

23.03.2007
Process Simulator partner is TTE (PROSIMM)

The CATCH team has committed to the installation of a simulator installation in partnership with TTE (PROSIMM).

A dedicated building has been completed ready for the installation of the operating suite, led by TTE, with all the environmental sensitivity of a real control room. Software and hardware supply and installation are in association with TSC of Nottingham. TSC are highly regarded as the leading provider of simulations in our industry sectors. Surveys revealed that initial usage would be for basic process operator training or process control awareness at foundation level. This type of course requires basic simulations of key unit operations, rather than the more complex total plant scenarios needing bespoke models of a client’s processes. In addition, Emergency Management scenarios are generating some interest from local companies. Putting teams under performance pressures in a safe environment gives companies peace of mind that their people perform well in a crisis.

The Process Simulator will add to the resources already available to companies through CATCH. If you have a particular interest in using this part of the facility, please contact us to discuss your requirements.

16.01.2007
"There is no CATCH it is a great facility" Business Telegraph.

THE Centre for the Assessment of Technical Competence Humber (CATCH) is already set for a busy and prosperous New Year, following the recent creation of two new roles, aimed at further boosting use of the facilities. Alan Buckley has been appointed Solutions Manager at CATCH - which includes a full-scale chemical plant, a 1,000 sq m workshop, and meeting, seminar and conference amenities - while Jenny Emmerson has joined as event controller.
Alan, who takes up his new role this month, will continue to oversee the development of ConCom - the Humber Bank Contractor Competency Forum - and the support of Impress apprentices.

"The main focus for 2007 is to drive up utilisation of the CATCH facility - specifically the plant and workshop zones," he said, commenting on this latest development at the Stallingborough site. We'll also be working hard to ensure that local, regional and national industry contacts are made fully aware of this excellent facility and the competency-related solutions that it offers."

A key element of his new role will be to help client companies and training providers take full advantage of the different training and assessment areas. This could mean arranging the hire of a particular area for companies who have their own in-house trainers, or have already located a suitable external training provider. Alternatively, a complete solution can be provided, with CATCH organising the hire of the facilities and the sourcing of appropriate training and course development on behalf of clients.
"As this aspect of the service develops, we'll be looking to establish a network of approved training providers - a 'Providers' Club' - which we'll be able to draw on, as necessary," Alan added. "With this in mind, I'd like to invite any training providers who are interested in becoming part of this network to get in touch, so that we can discuss it further."

And use of the training facilities is on the increase. In September, 34 ECITB apprentices began training at CATCH - the aim being to double their numbers during 2007 - while several leading chemical companies have held specialist courses at the centre since November.
"We're also running a pilot course on systems containment within the chemical industry in the coming weeks, which will focus on all aspects of plant safety," Alan continued. "There's already been widespread interest and if the course is well received, it will be run on a regular basis."

The centre's meeting, conference and seminar facilities have enjoyed considerable success, too, and this is where Jenny concentrates much of her efforts. As her job title suggests, she handles the organisation of all types of events held within the facilities, including technical requirements and catering, for example. She also provides a concierge service during the events themselves to ensure that everything runs smoothly. A recent graduate of Lincoln University, Jenny joined CATCH in October and is clearly enjoying the experience.
"It's a great place to work and the past few months have flown by," she said. "It's such a new facility that we're still refining the systems to make them even better and further improve the service to clients.
"The business is coming in and the challenge is to make certain that continues by ensuring more and more people know about the centre. I'm also looking forward to developing my role here at CATCH."

For further information on CATCH, please telephone the Solutions line (01469) 552833.

19.09.2006
"catch-'em young"

Over 100 people saw Sir Digby Jones open the operational area at the official Yorkshire Forward launch event on 19th September. He praised the vision and effort of all involved in reaching this historic moment and, stressing the importance of the Chemical and Allied Industries, emphasised the role CATCH has to play. He urged us to focus on creating opportunities for people to discover careers in the processing industries and to help them reach their potential. Picking up on our name, he emphasised the need to "catch-'em young" by reaching out to schools and building awareness of the exciting careers available in this region.

Following a welcome by the mayor, Terry Hodgkinson, chairmen of Yorkshire Forward gave an introductory speech and then handed over to Gareth James, Chairmen of Humber Chemical and Works General Manager of BP, Saltend. Gareth gave the visitors an industrial perspective before Sir Digby delivered his excellent and well-received speech. Adrian Wallis introduced a tour of the facilities, during which the guests saw the new ECITB apprentices undergoing training in the workshop, as well as a number of activities demonstrating how the facility is going to be used.

The companies taking part in the activities were Emerson Process Management, BP, Fabricom, Novartis, Jacobs Catalytic, Jex Engineering and LES Engineering. The CATCH facility is now fully open so, why not contact us through this website to see how we can help you?

12.09.2006
Industry & Provider Open Event - 25th September

Following the official launch on the 19th September, we're holding an open event to help potential users of the facility to find out more. Starting at 2:00pm, the event includes a detailed tour plus presentations on how you can get involved and benefit from the CATCH facility. There will also be an opportunity to have individual discussions with members of the CATCH board and management team, Impress, HCF and the ECITB.

CATCH offers the opportunity to do things differently, building on existing programmes or developing new solutions for workforce development needs. For example, you can integrate theoretical sessions with practical experience in our authentic chemical plant environment. This event is designed to help stimulate and share ideas on how the CATCH facilities can be used creatively to meet the needs of industry. This event is a great opportunity to take the next step with CATCH. If you would like to come, please confirm your attendance by e-mail to postbox@catch-uk.org.

16.05.2006
Key Milestone Reached

The pace of change continues to increase. Just over 9 months from our first critical milestone - HRH Prince Andrew visiting the site to lay a foundation stone - we've just passed the next one. The administration block opened for business at the beginning of May offering high quality meeting and conference facilities and the opportunity for people to link a site tour into their visit and assess the rest of the facilities. The office block consists of a number of offices with four well-equipped meeting rooms varying in size which are available to rent now.

EBLO (Education Business Link Organisation) were the first users of the new facility and Total LOR have run the largest event to date, taking the whole top floor on two consecutive afternoons. Initial feedback from the early users has been very positive and we've been delighted that some of them have already booked further events. The next few weeks will see activity in the operational area as we begin to fit out the workshop and process plant areas ready for the first set of apprentices to start in September 2006.

Clive Rounce, General Manager of CATCH, said, 'We're here to support the competitiveness of companies in the Chemical and Allied Industries by helping to ensure that there are sufficient, high-calibre and competent people available to meet their needs. Why not contact us to see how we can help you?' If your business wants to use our facilities, rent a meeting room or wishes to find out more about the project, please contact one of the CATCH team on 01469 552828 or fill in a form on this website.

13.03.2006
Process Simulator Decision

The CATCH team have decided to go ahead with a Process Simulator at the new facility, but have changed the original plans following further consultation with local industry. From the early days of the project, it was envisaged that the process control room would house a number of workstations displaying PC-based process simulations. Following the open day last November, we formed a client/contractor group to define more detailed user requirements for the CATCH facility based on anticipated learning objectives. It soon became apparent that there was a need for more live instrumentation based in the control room and linked to the process plant. Companies expressed a strong interest in using this equipment for both basic operator and instrument technician training. The group also recommended that we should not have the live instruments and simulation in the same control room because it would be very difficult to use them at the same time, thus restricting our flexibility.

Having decided not to put a simulator in the control room we conducted a survey to re-assess the need for such an installation at CATCH. Sabine Holmes of Humber Chemical Focus obtained a range of views and valuable information through the ChemSkills group that she is running and we also sent out a targeted questionnaire. Responses indicated that, although not all companies would need the facility and some have in-house capability, there is sufficient demand and support for a process simulator in the region. The survey also revealed that the initial usage would be for basic process operator training or process control awareness at foundation level. This type of course requires basic simulations of key unit operations, rather than the most complex total plant simulations or even bespoke models of a specific client’s processes.

On this basis, we have decided to construct a second building as a 'virtual control room' adjacent to the existing control room. The unit could be used for training in alarm handling, emergency management or aptitude testing in recruitment as well as for operator training. Once the room and hardware are in place, it will be possible to purchase additional more complex software simulations if required and justified by client’s needs.

The Process Simulator will add to the resources available to companies through CATCH. If you have a particular interest in using this part of the facility, please contact us to discuss your requirements.