Although it is impossible to ignore the difficult employment prospects faced by young people especially these days, there is a glimmer of light in the dark thanks to steelmaking company Tata, which has announced that it has taken on its largest ever number of apprentices at once in Wales this year.
In total, 81 apprentices have joined the company’s Welsh operation this year as part of the company’s Apprentice Development Scheme for 2011 entry. On top of this, over 60 graduates will also be joining the company within the next few weeks along with trainees and students on placements, meaning a large demographic of young people will be getting the benefit of the company’s recruitment policy.
Mike Rose, who is the learning and development apprentice advisor for the company made a statement saying that although the current economy is tough, Tata is very much dedicated to creating career opportunities as well as improving the strength of the manufacturing and steel industry in Wales.
Adding those apprentices onto the total taken on in previous recruitment drives, Tata now has over 200 apprentices on their 3 year apprentice development program. Those starting in 2011 will commence their training by taking part in a year-long course at Bridgend College. Apprentices were selected both because of the technical skills they possessed and because of more personal qualities that made them ideal candidates for having a successful career in the steel industry.