A Cardiff-based manufacturing company has announced plans to recruit six new apprentices this year, to provide young people with the opportunity to earnwhile they learn.
Celsa Manufacturing UK Ltd, part of the Celsa Group, which is the largest steel reinforcement manufacturer in Europe, has committed to the recruitment as part of a wider strategy to foster the next generation of talent and build for the future, as a number of its senior staff members approach retirement.
Lasting four years, the apprenticeship programme will be delivered by TSW Training, a training provider based in Bridgend. The programme will consist of on-site technical training, combined with tailored modules that cover a range of disciplines. Successful apprentices will receive a nationally recognised NVQ qualification in Engineering Maintenance and a BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Engineering to provide a platform for career growth.
The company, that produces 1.2m tonnes of steel annually from recycled scrap metal, currently employs 500 staff at its Cardiff base.
Once qualified, the apprentices will be responsible for maintaining and improving on-site electrical and mechanical equipment. The roles are vital to maintaining machinery safety and operational efficiency to help prevent costly repairs, as faulty machinery can often waste thousands of pounds due to lost productivity.
Celsa Manufacturing UK has had a positive track record with apprentices, with 95% of young people being employed in skilled positions after undertaking an apprenticeship at the company.
Robert Fleck, Learning and Development Manager at Celsa Manufacturing UK, said:
“We are excited to start our 2014 apprenticeship scheme as these young people will be essential to the future success of the company. As a number of highly skilled senior craft persons and engineers are approaching retirement, we are committed to investing in the next generation of talent, andtraining up their successors is a priority for us.
“We have found that recruiting staff through a tailored apprenticeship programme is the most effective way to train our craft persons. As we manufacture steel in a manner that isn’t replicated elsewhere in the UK, we are dedicated to boosting the skills set of young people so they have the correct combination of experience and knowledge to perform highly-skilled roles.”
As collaborators and apprenticeship training providers, TSW will produce a bespoke programme and lead the early recruitment phase. John Nash, Managing Director at TSW Training, said:
“We are delighted to collaborate with Celsa Manufacturing UK on its apprenticeship programme. It allows us to significantly contribute to the development of high-quality engineering professionals. We are very much looking forward to working withthem to develop engineering skills and talent in South Wales.”
Marc Street, who graduated from the company’s apprenticeship programme in 2011 and now works for it as an Electrical Craftsman said:
He said:
“My apprenticeship fully prepared me for my current role as an Electrical Craftsman as the company trained me in a number of different areas. I firmly believe that apprenticeships are not only a brilliant way to learn the key skills involved in the role, but they also give apprentices a real taste of responsibility, while allowing them to earn money at the same time.”