100 trainees join British Steel to mould a new generation of steelworkers

Apprentices to learn new skills which will shape British Steel's future.

THE young recruits – aged from 16 years upwards - are joining British Steel this summer in a variety of roles across the company’s operations in Scunthorpe and Teesside.

They include 46 apprentices, 17 graduates and seven people enrolling on our degree apprenticeship scheme. They will be joined by scores of under graduates who will work on placement schemes with many of them likely to join British Steel full-time when they’ve completed their degrees.

It takes the number of people taken on by British Steel since its June launch to nearly 200 after the firm previously announced 80 agency workers were being transferred on to its books.

British Steel Human Resources Director Paul Martin said: “We are extremely proud to be recruiting so many young people to our business - they are the new generation of steelworkers.

“The steel industry has always been committed to recruiting young people and we are delighted to be maintaining that tradition. That process of renewal is vital to ensure the future of the industry and that we have new, highly-skilled people coming through the business. The recruitment process was therefore extremely thorough with only the highest calibre candidates offered a place.

“We already employ 4,800 people across the company, all of whom are dedicated to building a sustainable future for British Steel and our customers. The 100-plus young trainees who will be joining us this summer showed a great desire to follow in their footsteps and I am sure they will give us even more impetus.”

The 46 young apprentices will serve three-year craft or functional apprenticeships while the degree apprentices will go on to study for engineering degrees after their initial three-year apprenticeships.

The 17 graduates who are joining British Steel’s graduate training scheme include people with degrees in engineering and science or disciplines such as Human Resources and finance.

The under-graduates will work on placement schemes for three to nine months and many are likely to join British Steel full-time when they’ve completed their degrees.

By September, all of the early career trainees will be in place at British Steel.

Paul McBean, Scunthorpe Site Multi-Union Chairman and his Community union colleague on Teesside, Peter Hobson, welcomed the news.

Paul said: “We can see an extremely bright future for British Steel and I am sure our new colleagues will play a major role in this.”

Peter Hobson added: “Investing in young people and training is vital and I am sure our colleagues will warmly welcome these new starters to British Steel.”