British Steel will welcome 70 new apprentices and graduates to the business next month as it looks to strengthen its skills pipeline and develop the next generation of steelmakers.
The intake includes 54 apprentices and 16 graduates, marking the return of the company’s graduate recruitment programme for the first time since 2022. The appointments come just weeks after British Steel was brought into public ownership by the UK Government.
Of the apprentices joining in September, 36 will begin electrical, mechanical and structural roles at the company’s Scunthorpe site. A further 17 apprentices will start similar positions across British Steel’s Northern mills in Teesside and Skinningrove, while one apprentice will join the company’s research and development centre in Sheffield.
The recruitment campaign attracted more than 1,000 applications when the roles were advertised earlier this year, with successful candidates progressing through assessment centres and a multi-stage selection process.
Industry Minister Blair McDougall said the appointments would help support the future of the UK steel industry.
Reindustrialising Britain starts with steel. These new roles will help build the next generation of skilled workers we need to secure the long-term future of British Steel and strengthen one of our foundation industries.
We acted to safeguard British Steel because steelmaking is vital to our economy, our security and our industrial future. Today’s announcement is a sign of that brighter future, creating new opportunities for young people in communities across the UK to build careers at the heart of Britain’s industrial renewal.
Industry Minister Blair McDougall
British Steel HR Director Nick Ashton said the calibre of applicants demonstrated strong interest in careers within the sector.
“The quality of applications for our apprentice and graduate roles was extremely high, so we’re excited by the prospect of inviting so many talented new people into the business,” he said.
“Together they are an important part of our future as they are our next generation of engineers, technical specialists, and functional experts, with the opportunity to build long-term and fulfilling careers with British Steel.
“Together, with our highly skilled colleagues, they will help manufacture the steel Britain needs now and for decades to come and we look forward to welcoming them into the company at such an exciting time for British Steel.”
Earlier this year, British Steel reopened its apprentice training centre in Scunthorpe as part of its investment in skills development.
Scunthorpe apprentices will complete their first year of training in a classroom environment with training provider CATCH before undertaking three years of practical, on-site experience. Apprentices based in Teesside and Skinningrove will begin their training with TTE in partnership with Middlesbrough College Group before moving into operational roles.
The 16 graduates joining the business will take up positions across engineering, manufacturing, technical, commercial, finance and IT functions, supporting British Steel’s efforts to develop specialist skills across the organisation.
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