Training pledge by college as Wolverhampton firm closes

A college has stepped in to save 400 apprenticeships left in doubt after a training firm in the West Midlands went into liquidation, it was revealed today.

JML Dolman's closure affected around 400 apprentices who were being trained by the firm.

South Nottingham College was contracting JML to deliver the apprenticeships.

Today the college said it will step in to run the courses and has temporarily taken over JML's former offices at the Roma Parva building, in Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton.

Mark Fedulow, project manager at the college, said his team had so far been in touch with 340 apprentices, but had been unable to contact another 60.

He said: "We've spoken to most of them to let them know what is happening and we won't stop until we have spoken to them all. Quite a few of those affected had completed more than 50 per cent of their portfolio."

Mr Fedulow said apprenticeships affected were in skills such as carpentry and plastering and negotiations had started with a site in Bilston that could be used.

He said that all the app-rentices linked to the college were from the Wolverhampton area and that the college was now considering moving a base to the West Midlands permanently.

Former JML apprentices can call the college on 07930 534114.