Sony’s UK Technology Centre, home to electronics giant’s manufacture of professional and broadcast camera systems, has launched an apprenticeship and graduate recruitment drive.
The UKTEC centre in Pencoed is seeking young people with an interest in engineering and business to apply for its new education programmes, which are due to begin in September this year.
Five apprenticeships will be available on a four-year programme, which will lead to a Higher National Certificate (HNC) Level 4 – the equivalent to one year of university study.
Steve Dalton OBE, managing director of Sony UKTEC, said students will develop their technical knowledge at the nearby Bridgend College.
“During the programme, each apprentice will spend twelve months at Bridgend College where they will develop their technical knowledge as well as other key skills such as teamwork and communication,” he said.
“Thereafter, the apprentices will further develop specialist engineering skills and apply these whilst working on-site.”
In addition to the apprenticeship scheme, Sony UKTEC will be offering nine places for its new graduate programme over a course of three years.
This will offer insight into areas including production, procurement, accounting, business development and software and electronic engineering and will see graduates fast-tracked into management level roles.
These will see graduates initially take part in a rotation programme across Sony UKTEC’s main areas of business in manufacturing, customer service and repairs and also as a third-party contract manufacturer.
Mr Dalton, who saw his site create 26 new jobs last year, added: “Graduates will gain insight into the organisation’s lean manufacturing techniques and develop an understanding of all roles across the business from procurement, product assembly and product testing through to shipping and after sales support.
“This will enable individuals to develop a greater understanding of our complex and diverse business operations and support them in their chosen graduate programme.”
As well as providing a full time salary, Sony will also fund the student’s tuition fees over the duration of the programme, something Mr Dalton believes is crucial to attracting the best young talent.
“As the cost of education continues to rise, it’s really important that talented and motivated individuals have opportunities like these available to them to pursue a career in engineering, manufacturing and business management,” he said.
“We have created these programmes to make this possible and to develop the next generation of Sony engineers, innovators and business leaders, who, I hope, will help shape the future of manufacturing in Wales.
