Forgemasters’ search for apprentices now on

The manufacturing company, which produces castings and forgings for suppliers to the engineering, nuclear, and process industries, has launched its search for suitable candidates to start in the first quarter of next year.

Its four-year apprenticeship programme has earned plaudits from education, training and sector experts and sees the company commit to a £1 million training framework for its specialist staff.

Graham Honeyman, chief executive of Sheffield Forgemasters said: “In these somewhat uncertain and challenging times for the sector, this is a very encouraging and positive announcement, both for our business and the steel, manufacturing and engineering sectors as a whole. The introduction of an Apprentice Levy in April 2017 will not affect our policy on recruiting and training apprentices, which we see as vital to the future of this business.

“We offer our apprentices a great opportunity to pursue rewarding careers with a forward thinking company that they may not have otherwise had the opportunity to embrace. Over the years we have visited schools and have hosted visits from schools all over the country to explain what we do here and to raise the profile of engineering as an important career choice. Consequently, we will expect a huge amount of interest in these positions.

“It is likely that the position will be reviewed again later in 2017 with potentially another intake later in the 2017 year or early 2018.”

Apprentice vacancies will come from across the departments at the 64 acre site and include two mechanical engineers; two electrical engineers; a human resources and administration apprentice; five machinists; three moulder/coremakers and one patternmaker.

Sheffield Forgemasters offers long-term careers for school and college graduates and has had up to 70 apprentices – more than 10% of the current workforce – training at one time in previous years.

The company has recruited 103 apprentices since 2007 with the scheme with a 92% retention rate. Every apprentice that has graduated has been offered a full time permanent job.

Sheffield Forgemasters www.sheffieldforgemasters.com