STEEL fabricator Pearson Engineering Services (PES) has appointed four apprentices as part of its efforts to grow its own skilled workforce for the future.
The business, part of the Reece Group of companies, now has a total of 25 apprentices and employs more than 200 people its base at at Walker on the banks of the Tyne.
The new starters are Jamie Young, 23, from Gosforth, Kyle Duggan, 16, from Morpeth and Matthew Adams, 17, from Walkerville, who will study full time at South Tyneside College for the first year of their four-year apprenticeship in Fabrication & Welding.
The fourth, Kieran Allan, 20, from Hebburn, has already completed his first year of training and he will be working on the shop floor and attending college on a day release basis. PES, which specialises in the defence and sub-sea sectors, has put more than 30 apprentices through its scheme since shaking up its approach to apprenticeships five years ago.
The company is funding the academic fees of two of the new apprentices who are 19 and not eligible for the usual Government financial support.
Managing director Roger Anderton said: “We picked the best candidates from all of those applying and the funding of academic fees is not an issue if we are certain that the applicants are keen to develop their skills and embark on a career in engineering.
“Our apprenticeship programme ensures that we can continue to deliver the technical excellence we are renowned for throughout the world.”
