In 2018 voestalpine Metsec recruited it’s 100th apprentice into our in-house apprentice scheme. We still remain one of the few Engineering companies to run an in-house scheme, without any external support. To date Metsec have trained 13% of the workforce through the apprentice scheme, well on the way to Metsec achieving the goal of 20% by 2020.
The first year apprenticeship is based in the Apprentice workshop attached to the toolroom. The apprentices will complete an NVQ level 2 entitled Performing Engineering Operations (PEO). The PEO gives the apprentices basic metal working skills in bench fitting, marking out, milling, lathe work, operating the pedestal drill and some basic assembly skills.
On successful completion of the first year the Apprentice may then move onto an Advanced Apprenticeship at level three which involves working in all departments at Metsec to gain a good understanding of how the business is run. During this time they have day release to a local college/training provider to gain a level three Technical certificate to compliment the NVQ level 3 gained at Metsec
2017 saw the introduction of the new Trailblazer Apprenticeship Scheme. The scheme offers a fast-track approach and requires the apprentice to attend college four days a week with the remaining day spent on the job for the first six months of the scheme. The student then spends the rest of the time in full-time employment as an apprentice. This approach provides students with the relevant technical knowledge to excel when working on site and to achieve the NVQ Level 3 qualification more quickly in comparison to other schemes.
