300 vie for Tata's 17 South Yorkshire steel apprenticeships

More than 300 people have so far applied for the 17 apprentices' positions available at Tata Steel’s Stocksbridge and Rotherham plants. 

But with the Global Manufacturing Festival: Sheffield getting under way the company wanted to allow extra time for potential applicants to apply.

Tata Steel is sponsoring today’s Get up to Speed engineering and manufacturing showcase event in Sheffield where families, young people and teachers will learn about the exciting career opportunities in such an important sector and hear from Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

Some of the fastest vehicles and people on earth will also be there, including record breaker Richard Noble OBE from the Bloodhound Project—the ultimate land speed record car, the women’s bobsleigh world champion Nicola Minichiello and the Marussia Virgin Formula 1 car.

Mick Hood, HR manager for Tata Steel Speciality, said: “We are sponsoring the Get up to Speed event to help inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers and showcase the expertise in the South Yorkshire region. 

“Our current apprentices will be available to talk to families and young people who may be interested in an exciting career in the manufacturing and engineering industry.

"We have had a tremendous response so far from people interesting in becoming a Tata Steel apprentice. But we thought it was only fair to extend the deadline for applications until after the Get up to Speed event. The original March 12 deadline was extended to March 19.

“Engineers and technologists are critical to modern life but with the number of students choosing to study these subjects dwindling, it's vital we do everything we can to enthuse and inspire young people through events like this. The Get up to Speed event focuses on innovation, manufacturing and engineering excellence which are all critical to Tata Steel.

“Our products have extremely high technical and chemical specifications and are used in everything from the landing gear of the largest and most advanced aircraft to drilling components used deep in the ocean floor.”

Anyone interested in applying to become a Tata Steel apprentice in South Yorkshire should visit  www.tatasteelfutures.com.

For more information about the Global Manufacturing Festival: Sheffield, visit www.globalmanufacturingfestival.com