British Steel welcomes its next generation of steelworkers

The latest generation of Teesside steelworkers have started their careers in a partnership between British Steel and Middlesbrough College.

The 12 manufacturing and technical apprentices, who are employed by the college, are being sponsored by British Steel and it is hoped they will join the steelmaker when they have completed their training.

The apprentices’ training takes place at the college’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Centre and British Steel’s Teesside Beam Mill.

They are learning how to operate a comprehensive range of mill equipment associated with the rolling and finishing of steel sections used in the construction industry. This includes techniques to ensure that products are rolled within specification ready for release to customers.

British Steel’s Managing Director for Construction Richard Farnsworth said: “We’re delighted to welcome 12 new people to British Steel. This is a fantastic opportunity for them and they are promised the very best training from ourselves and the college.

“The steel industry is in Teesside’s blood and this move not only demonstrates our commitment to apprenticeships and training, but to the region as a whole.

“We employ more than 430 people at our Teesside Beam Mill and the neighbouring Service Centre at Lackenby, and they are building a bright future for themselves, our business and our customers.”

The new starters have been enrolled on Middlesbrough College’s apprentice programme and they will receive six weeks of intensive training at the college before training and working at British Steel.

Middlesbrough College’s STEM Director Ian Smith said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with British Steel to deliver an innovative apprenticeship programme that ensures manufacturing skills are developed in young people.

“The Stem Centre has been specifically designed to provide industrial standard training as part of the solution to industry skills gaps and we are thrilled to support British Steel’s ambitions during an exciting stage of their development.”