British Steel in fresh drive for apprentices

The new trainees are based in manufacturing areas across British Steel’s Scunthorpe site and are being recruited to serve the demand for the company’s annual 2.8 million-tonne steel output.

British Steel – which was resurrected as a brand in the summer of 2016 by private investor Greybull Capital – said the first manufacturing trainees have now been trained to perform roles such as crane driving, fork lift truck driving and machine operations.

The intake began in April of last year and has seen a raft of new apprentices begin work with the firm each month since.

The total number of new recruits has now risen to 155 with British Steel looking to pass the 200 mark in the coming weeks.

British Steel’s deputy chief executive Paul Martin, said: “We’ve a great history of recruiting trainees to our business and we’re maintaining this tradition with our manufacturing trainees.

“I am pleased to say they’ve made excellent starts to their careers with British Steel and are already making significant contributions to the business. As their skill, knowledge and experience grows, I’m confident they’ll make an even bigger impact as we look to build a sustainable future.

“I would like to welcome the latest intake of 30 trainees who have joined us this month and I’d encourage anyone looking for a new challenge, with excellent career prospects, to consider applying as we search for 60 more people.”

Lucy Lings, British Steel senior resourcing adviser, said: “In the coming months we’re looking to recruit dozens more manufacturing trainees in Scunthorpe, all of whom will be given first class training from our highly-skilled employees and North Lindsey College.

“Throughout the process the standard of applications has been incredibly high and we look forward to hearing from people who want to build a career with us.”

North Lindsey College Principal Mick Lochran said: “These are excellent roles with great prospects.

“It is pleasing to see British Steel continuing to invest in its people and North Lindsey are proud to be supporting the company.”

Of the 2.8 million tonnes of steel every year that British Steel produces there are more than 1,450 different specifications of the product that is rolled into wire rod, sections, special profiles, rail, bloom and slab.

The business now employs 4,800 people, of which 4,400 are in the UK with an additional 400 in France.

In addition to its large Scunthorpe integrated steelworks, it also operates the Teesside Beam Mill at Lackenby, the Special Profiles business in Skinningrove, North Yorkshire, and the Immingham Bulk Terminal, with additional sites in north east France and the Netherlands.

Last month saw British Steel secure a major German rail contract after enhancing its manufacturing capabilities with a seven-figure investment.

The deal will see the company deliver around 20,000 tonnes of 120-metre rail a year to Deutsche Bahn, Europe’s largest purchaser of rail. It comes after the company spent £1m enhancing its Scunthorpe Rail and Section Mill so it could manufacture this longer length rail.

As well as the Deutsche Bahn agreement, the new 120-metre rail capability allows improved competitiveness for British Steel in the wider European market. The initial contract is for 21 months and will see the new 120-metre length rails delivered to Germany through the Channel Tunnel.

How to apply

Candidates looking to apply for one of the apprentice roles must be aged 18 and over as this is a national legal requirement in order to be able to work shifts.

The salary for the roles starts at £19,380 plus shift allowance (where applicable) in year one, progressing to circa £22,000 plus shift allowance (where applicable) in year two, following successful completion of training.

Anyone wishing to seek an interview needs to have achieved GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English to C grade or above or functional skills level 2 in English and Maths, as well as have IT skills and a full UK driving licence.