Teesside automotive parts manufacturer, ElringKlinger (GB) has sealed its local education links after taking on 13 new apprentices this September – its biggest intake to date.
Eleven of the apprentices have been recruited through Middlesbrough College, while two current employees have embarked upon the apprenticeship program.
The recent additions bring the number of apprentices ‘live’ on-site to 19 – all working across different departments and at varying stages of their programmes from Year One to Year Four.
It’s the second year that the firm has partnered with Middlesbrough College on its in-house training scheme, which nurtures young engineering talent in a bid to plug the region’s skills gap.
This year’s successful candidates range from technical engineer apprentices who will complete their first term at college, to tool room engineers on day-release to college, and setter operators who will be on-site full time at ElringKlinger’s Redcar plant.
Newly-recruited technical services apprentice Kirby Worsey, who is currently studying towards an NVQ and HNC at Middlesbrough College, has returned from the Netherlands where she worked as a design engineering assistant until February this year.
Worsey commented: “On completing my Level 3 BTEC in Mechanical Engineering last year I went out to work for a crane repair company near Amsterdam, but I decided to come back to further my qualifications.
“The ElringKlinger (GB) apprenticeship scheme is the perfect solution for me to build on my academic background, as well as gain real experience in a commercial environment. It’s an exciting prospect that I’ll be involved in projects for the likes of Ford and Jaguar Land Rover.”
Middlesbrough College’s STEM Director, Ian Smith said: “We have wide ranging industry links which is why we are able to offer professional skills beyond the learning environment.
“The relationship we enjoy with ElringKlinger is a fantastic example of how Middlesbrough College is working with industry to boost the local economy and provide quality training for individuals.”
ElringKlinger (GB) managing director, Ian Malcolm – who also sits on the advisory board for Middlesbrough College’s STEM Centre – added: “Working with education providers to encourage more young people into the industry has always been one of our key commitments, but the recent appointment of our training officer Theanna De Sancho has meant we can really invest resources into building the future talent pipeline.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see some of our more mature apprentices progressing through the ranks since they began their career with us. At the same time, it’s great to be able to give opportunities to new faces who have previous experience.”
