Engineering firm sets apprenticeship challenge to local youngsters

The company has set Year 11 pupils at nearby Woodham Academy a series of challenges that will see them spending National Apprenticeship Week (11-15 March) preparing their presentations, knowing a successful pitch on March 27 could see them hired. The scheme was set up in association with Durham's education and business partnership and is now in its fourth year. Having recruited eight youngsters from the school in that time, David Pearson, Gestamp Tallent's training controller, is confident this year's intake will bring that total to double figures, given the quality of work seen so far. Gestamp Tallent is recruiting up to 18 apprentices this year. "We offer everyone in Year 11 the opportunity to apply, with tasks including purchase, design-based tasks and a presentation to directors in our boardroom," he said. "These young people are our future toolmakers, maintenance technicians and managers. This year we have 11 pupils taking part in the final stages and they will go through our full recruitment process. We have invested a lot of time and money in the scheme but it has been well worth it." Sarah Sillars, chief executive at Semta, the sector skills council, said: "It is fantastic to see Woodham Academy working with Gestamp Tallent in such a proactive, meaningful way, leading to opportunities for employment. This initiative is exactly the sort of thing that should be showcased as best practice for other firms to consider." The Spanish giant Gestamp Automocion, which took over Tallent in 2011, designs, develops and produces a variety of parts for car makers including Volvo, Ford, Jaguar Land Rover and Nissan.