Tata Steel’s Academy has opened its doors to induct over 100 apprentices and trainees in South Wales – signalling the start of their full-time training.

The young people will complete their training programme in a variety of disciplines at the Academy and will work in Tata Steel’s sites in Newport, Port Talbot and Llanelli. Already a proportion of them have gained a firm foundation having completed a year of study at local

colleges.

Stuart Wilkie, director of the Strip Products UK operations, said: “The steel industry needs skilled engineers, technicians and operators. Our employees work with state-of-the-art technology to produce increasingly hi-tech steel products. In training this cohort of trainees,

we’re looking ahead to those who will be managing operations in 10, 15, or more, years' time.”

Mr Wilkie said: “The qualifications and experience you gain will last a lifetime and serve as a platform to achieve great things.”

Trainees will qualify to carry out a range of key professions in the steel industry, including mechanical and electrical engineering, welding, fabrication and rigging. The cohort includes technical trainees and functional apprentices who will work in business areas such as finance and also the commercial disciplines of sales and marketing.