DCET celebrates its 20th birthday with record apprentice intake and continued expansion

DCET Training, formally known as Devon & Cornwall Electrical Training and based in Exeter, celebrates its 20th birthday this week and heads into its 21st year with a record Apprentice intake for the 2015/2016 academic year, as well as expansion into Bristol.

DCET Training has become the leading specialist in electrical training and prides itself on delivering high quality training and Apprenticeships for the electrical industry, as well as offering bespoke courses tailored to a company’s individual needs.

A result of merging with Focus Training in 2013 there has been an expansion in the training offered to include Apprenticeships in health & social care, customer service, business administration, hospitality, professional cooking and many more. Since being formed in 1995, under the name D.C.E.T Limited, DCET has developed Training Centres throughout the South West in Exeter, Plymouth, Redruth and more recently a new centre in Bristol. Over the last 20 years there have been a number of key milestones in the growth of the company. 

In 2006 DCET became a NET AM2 test centre, providing a final exam and training service for electrical professionals throughout the South West.

In 2011 DCET became an approved ELCAS centre, an accredited scheme to enhance all service leaver’s education and vocational achievements at level 3 or above. The year also saw a move into a new Centre in Exeter and the opening of a Centre in Redruth.

In July 2013 DCET merged with Focus Training SW, one of the leading training providers in Plymouth and surrounding areas – this also supplied the premises for an expansion of electrical training into Plymouth. 2014 saw the launch of electrical traineeships and the celebration of the 750th electrical Apprentice, which prompted a visit from MP Ben Bradshaw. 2015 saw a further merge with Supertech, a plumbing & heating training provider operating in Newton Abbot. 2015 also saw the launch of The Arb Academy, a high quality tree and forestry training academy based in the heart of Devon and the opening of a new electrical Training Centre in Bristol.

Peter Oldham, who shares a birthday with DCET and will be retiring as MD on the very day of DCET’s 20th birthday said, ‘It is amazing to look back on what has happened in DCET and our new sister brands over the years. We have a fantastic team in all the areas of our business and the one thing that has never changed and never will, is the absolute focus on quality. The Government’s current focus on quality Apprenticeships gives us all a fantastic opportunity to upskill our workforce, especially in the South West’.

As a specialist training provider, DCET Training has a long-established good reputation with employers throughout the South West.

DCET Training enjoys consistent repeat business from its clients. Indeed, many former apprentice electricians are now sending their own Apprentices to DCET.

For more information on the training courses and Apprenticeships that DCET offer, call 01392 829100 or visit www.dcet.co.uk