Skills and Training - What can we do?

Train4All Construction & Engineering — 19/01/2026

An interview with our CEO, Jon Allen

Your Name Job Title and Responsibilities?

Jon Allen Chief Executive of Train4All, Mechanical Engineering, Welding, Pipefitting & Fabrication Quality Manager.

Could you tell me a little about your background in the sector?

I have over 40 years working within the Mechanical Engineering sector, 20 on the arc, and 20 in management, inspection and education. I have industrial experience of working in the production and maintenance of road construction, plant equipment, shop fitting, dairy, aviation, structural steel, HV switchgear, defence and rail sector before moving over to teaching within Further Education colleges in the Southwest.

Could you provide a brief summary of your organisation and current offering?

Train4All was incorporated in 2008 to support employers and learners who were looking for a more vocational setting to support with their individual training and qualification requirements. Train4All is a specialist Independent Training Provider employing time served qualified industry personnel delivering engineering craft and technical programmes in a real working environment and supporting new entrants through to senior craft personal in line with employer and sector demands. We offer site compliant qualifications such as NVQs at level 3, ECITB training standards for all contractors currently working on site to meet the skills and competences matrix, Skills Bootcamps in Welding, level 3 Apprenticeships in Welding, Metal Fabrication and Mechanical Fitting and this September we are proud to be delivering the new ECITB Welding Scholarship with 8 young learners, which we are hoping to grow in 2026.

Who in the main are the companies you engage with and in what way?

Train4All engages with local manufacturing, engineering, welding and fabrication companies, as well as regional, national and international organisations such as Framatome, Cavendish, Arabelle Solutions, Tissot, William Hare, Leadwoods, Bylor and ENKA. We are currently supporting employers with Plate, Pipe Welding, Metal Fabrication and Mechanical Fitting apprenticeships via day and block release, and regularly run ECITB training standards such as CCNSG, Fire Watcher, Manual Handling, Abrasive Wheels, Medium Risk Confined Space, Working Safely with Tools and Working at Height certification. We are also experiencing a substantial rise in employers requesting that employees undertake an NVQ Level 3 in Welding to meet project requirements. NVQs are assessed onsite and involves minimal downtown for staff, a perfect way to qualify experienced employees.

Achievements to date

We have been working in association with EDF-NNB, HPC, MEH Alliance and BYLOR since 2017, and since January 2022, TrainAll has successfully delivered the popular HSO Bronze course at both the Southwest Welding Academy in Somerton and the Mechanical Centre of Excellence in Cannington, seeing over 814 successful starts. In January 2025, Train4All commenced delivery of the HSO Mechanical Silver, and to date 4 cohorts of 48 learners have successfully achieved and are progressing on site.

It is fantastic to see new entrants move into industry and watch them progress onto the HSO Silver and then Apprenticeships. As an example, Orinta Gaciauskaite commenced a Welding Skills Bootcamp in March 2024 which incorporated elements of the HSO Bronze programme. After successfully achieving a 16-week funded programme, she graduated and was accepted to commence a Level 3 Plate Welding Apprenticeship with Cavendish. Following a period of training at the centre, Orinta started on site in late June and has demonstrated incredible skills and determination to succeed. She is a true ambassador for both apprenticeships and Hinkley Point C, and she has recently talking to new scholars about the benefits of welding, being a learner at Train4All and working onsite.

Orinta’s supervisor Adam Browning recently provided this feedback.

"Since Orinta joined our building as an apprentice, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with her, and I’m very impressed with her progress and attitude. She has shown a fantastic willingness to learn and is quickly developing strong technical skills.

She has worked alongside me on SMAW and GTAW processes, demonstrating a good eye for both methods and a consistently positive approach. Orinta has already completed bracket work that successfully passed Q.C. inspection, and she continues to show increasing independence—I no longer need to constantly look over her shoulder.

On more complex and awkward brackets, she observes closely as I demonstrate, asking the right questions and showing clear understanding when I explain my approach. She takes it all in and applies it in her own work. Recently, I had her complete TIG brackets under close supervision, and her TIG welding was excellent—well above the level expected at this stage.

Her confidence and capability are growing fast, and I have every confidence she would excel if given the opportunity to advance into a pipe apprenticeship and I strongly recommend that Orinta be considered for progression. She has the skills, the work ethic, and the attitude to succeed in more challenging areas of welding.”

We are so proud of all Orinta has achieved, she is certainly one to watch!

What more can you do to support local and national projects?

After many years of planning and preparation, since 2024 we have seen a large increase in customer demand locally to upskill new and existing employees within the sector. We have the infrastructure and capability to deliver quality training in real time to support the needs of industry moving forward whether that is at Hinkley, for small businesses or other projects across the region. We are currently looking at how we can further support with skills gaps on site and are looking at pathways to progress skilled learners further, watch this space.

With re-brokering happening and new entrants requiring upskilling, we have the capacity to accommodate candidates at short notice. Our dedicated Business Development Co-Ordinator Cat Godfrey, is happy to discuss requirements and book employees onto available courses; she is also the conduit between myself and employers in the development of bespoke training packages. If you need training within a specific area, we will do everything we can to support you. If we cannot help, we will provide advice and guidance and refer you to someone who can.

What are your objectives looking ahead through 2026 and beyond?

We will continue supporting our customers with their training needs, solve their problems in a timely manner and assist in growing the industry and economy by providing quality education and training. Our reputation is built on the quality training we deliver and the professional service we provide.

What are the main challenges facing the sector more generally and for you specifically?

We are facing challenges every day; a lack of new entrants, scheduling based on needs with a realistic lead time, staff recruitment in the Southwest coupled with high salary requests and investment. More advice and guidance should be provided to our young people about the career prospects within the engineering sector and funding is required within the education sector to support new teachers coming from industry. We need to develop new talent and the best way we can support new entrants, is for them to be taught by those who have occupational expertise and have worked in industry. We are always looking for skilled members to join our team, a teaching qualification isn't essential, but having the skills and expertise to impart current indsutry knowledge is essential.

How would you sum up your message to the market?

It’s all about managing expectations, whilst maintaining integrity. Train4All are here to recruit and develop a skilled workforce, we do that by delivering quality training and training that meets employer needs and training requirements. If any employer needs support with training, we are here to help. We might not have all the answers, but we can certainly guide you in the right direction and refer you to partners if we cannot ever help.

How would an employer contact you?

Employers can email hello@train4all.co.uk or contact us on 01458 274 043. We are conveniently located 4 miles from the A303 at Podimore roundabout and 16 miles from the M5 junction 23, with plenty of free onsite parking. We welcome visits at any time and employers can view the Health & Safety and Engineering-Construction facilities we have. Come and see how Train4All can really support your team.