Sheffield Forgemasters relies on 'energy and innovation' of apprentices

Sheffield Forgemasters has hired 171 apprentices over the last 10 years and relies on their ‘energy and innovation’ for its success, bosses say.
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The Brightside steelmaker currently has 56 apprentices and says they comprise up to 10 per cent of the workforce at any one time.

Seven will complete their training in March. Previous apprentices have risen through the ranks, including melt shop general manager Aleck Knight and engineering director, Steve Marshall.

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The company, which makes ‘ultra-heavy’ forgings and castings, is celebrating its commitment to training as part of National Apprenticeships Week.

Rick Franckeiss (rear) with an intake of apprentices at Sheffield Forgemasters.Rick Franckeiss (rear) with an intake of apprentices at Sheffield Forgemasters.
Rick Franckeiss (rear) with an intake of apprentices at Sheffield Forgemasters.

Rick Franckeiss, group learning and development manager, said they were the ‘next leaders of the business’.

He added: “Apprentices bring a vast amount of energy and innovation. We engage them on live projects so they can help to improve the business and they are able to learn from some of the most skilled, time-served engineers and staff in the industry.”

Engineering director Steve Marshall said: “Apprenticeships offer a vital alternative to university for many young school leavers, they are learning at the highest level, plus they are in receipt of a wage from day one.

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“As the UK progresses as a global centre of engineering excellence, the value and importance of apprenticeships will become even more apparent and for a business like ours, which has highly niche skills requirements, training our own talent is essential.”

In October, Forgemasters annouced plans to axe 95 jobs due to a ‘significant downturn for commercial work driven by the pandemic’. The firm supplies markets including defence, nuclear, oil and gas, power generation and steel processing.

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