Power Provider Sembcorp looks to youth Four former apprentices have shown the value of targeting jobs in the science-based sector, having landed permanent jobs with one of Teesside’s most important industrial employers. Jade Gofton, Niamh Smith, Dean Carney and Ross Garside have been taken on by Sembcorp Utilities UK at the Wilton International site. Twenty-year-olds Jade, Niamh and Dean, were all previously Sembcorp-sponsored apprentices on the four year Tees Valley Production Technician (TVPT) apprenticeship supported by many of the area’s process industry employers. Ross, 21, was snapped up by Sembcorp after business difficulties at his sponsoring company prevented the firm from being able to offer him a permanent role. The four, all of whom gained an HNC qualification in Chemical Engineering during their apprenticeships, are now working hard to develop their understanding of turbine operations at Sembcorp, which provides the power to major process industry companies such as SABIC, Lotte, Huntsman and Ensus at Wilton. They will each have further opportunities to earn as they enhance their education, with Sembcorp paying for them to complete career relevant university degrees if they wish. Dean, from Eston won the prestigious North East Apprentice of the Year title for manufacturing at the NEPIC Annual Awards earlier this year through his enthusiasm and commitment as an apprentice. He said: “It’s great to land a full time position with such a significant company. We’re all delighted to be given such a superb platform from which to build our careers and we’re really enjoying the extra responsibilities that come with being full time employees.” Graham Taylor, Training and Development Manager at Sembcorp, said: “All four excelled in their interviews and have worked extremely hard as apprentices. They’ve settled in really well and are an example and an inspiration to other young people. “It is vitally important that companies like ours continue to recruit high calibre young people to become the engineers and technicians of the future as they will play a key role in driving our business forward.” Sembcorp, which employs about 400 people on Teesside, is currently sponsoring nine apprentices through the TVPT scheme.
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