North East medium emplyer of the year: Lotte Chemical UK Ltd, Redcar

A TEESSIDE-BASED chemical manufacturer has been named as the North East Medium Employer of the Year.

Lotte Chemical UK Ltd, based at the Wilton site in Redcar, currently employs 11 engineering and manufacturing apprentices. Two are about to become permanent members of staff after successfully completing their apprenticeship programmes and an additional six new apprentices will be joining the organisation very soon.

Lotte Chemical, which delivers its apprenticeship programme in partnership with training provider the TTE Technical Training Group, has a strong commitment to apprentices that extends well beyond its existing workforce.

It proactively works with partners to look at innovative ways to broaden the scope and reach of apprenticeship programmes in the sector. This ranges from working strategically as a member of the Chemical Advisory Council for the UK and with other bodies to develop common standards across the industry, to working in the local community to educate young people about the opportunities in the sector.

Lotte Chemical is delighted by its success. Gary Conroy, manufacturing and technical director, said: "We have a culture of continuous learning and development and our apprenticeship programme is at the heart of this. Our ethos is that learning should be a journey, not a destination.

"We recognise how important it is that our existing employees transfer their skills and expertise to young, upcoming talent to ensure the future success of the business.

"The influx of new apprentices also benefits our business as they introduce innovative and fresh ideas to help us remain at the forefront of our industry."