Upskilling with WD-40 and SOS Industrial partners

Hartlepool College has announced we have announced an innovative new partnership to provide exceptional industry-led training to the region’s future engineers. The collaboration with global maintenance product leader WD-40 Company and North Tyneside-based distributor SOS Industrial will see the three organisations work together to enhance the college’s engineering curriculum and provide invaluable professional development for students and staff.

The partnership, which will also promote best practices in industrial maintenance and safety, is visible immediately at the College’s machine shop and bench fitting area, where new branding highlights the use of WD-40 products to maintain and prolong the life of the college’s crucial tooling and machinery. At the heart is a commitment to bridging the gap between classroom learning and industrial requirements. SOS Industrial, a Hartlepool College supporter and key distributor for WD-40, will play a hands-on role in delivering this technical training.

Nicky Webster, Regional Account Manager for SOS Industrial, said: “This is about supporting the growth by helping the students and future engineers develop. We are supporting the engineering department at Hartlepool College to enhance the future of employment in all aspects of maintenance, repair and overhaul support. WD-40 is supplying stock for the College, and we will support with toolkits and any further support we can source from OEM’s. We believe this is vital for us to ensure the next generation is trained using the best industry practices and equipment.”

A core component of the agreement involves bespoke "toolbox talks" delivered by both WD-40 and SOS staff. These sessions will explain the specific industrial applications and benefits of various maintenance products to students, staff and apprentices, ensuring their skills are continuously up to date. For the WD-40 Company, the partnership is part of a broader global mission to support new entrants into the skilled trades.

Zoe Grogan, Industry Key Account Manager for WD-40, said: “Seeing WD-40 and SOS Industrial come together to support the branding of the workshop at Hartlepool College shows what is possible when industry partners collaborate with shared values.Our commitment to creating positive lasting memories and making it better than it is today has helped deliver a space that inspires students, reflects real-world industry standards, and provides lasting value to the wider North-East community. I am very much looking forward to helping keep the wheels of industry turning.”

Mark Elliott, the College’s Head of Advanced Manufacturing Engineering, said: “We have two companies who are going to give us not only technical support to students and staff but also help ensure our environment is correct.

“They will work with us on workshop design, as well as supporting us with monthly giveaways to promote strong health and safety practices.”

Students must complete their dynamic risk assessments accurately and on time before every task in the workshops to be entered into a monthly draw. The prizes are used to reward and promote good, safe workplace practice.

The first winner of the dynamic risk assessments giveaway was Level 3 advanced manufacturing engineering student Millie Cassleden, who demonstrated exceptional safety awareness.

Millie said, “Winning the first prize for good practice was a brilliant surprise. It shows that the College and its partners genuinely value our safety, and it encourages all of us to stay focused and follow every step of our risk assessments before we start a job.” and Mark added: “This is an incredible boost for our department and is hopefully the first step in a long and mutually beneficial partnership that will raise brand awareness while providing our students with high-quality, relevant training.”