RECORD numbers of young people from the Sheffield City Region are seeking careers in advanced manufacturing and opting to earn as they learn by gaining places at the AMRC Training Centre.
More than 130 teenagers have secured jobs and signed up for advanced apprenticeships at the Catcliffe-based centre, which is part of the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre.
That compares with around 70 at this time last year and, with a further intake scheduled for this month, the AMRC Training Centre is confident that apprentice numbers will be up by 60% or more at the start of the training year.
Numbers will rise even higher with further intakes planned for the new year to meet the needs of employers and to cater for young people who want to switch to more practical studies.
Training Centre head of operations, Kerry Featherstone, said: “The growth in our numbers is really encouraging and important for an advanced manufacturing sector that desperately needs young recruits with high level skills to fill the gaps that are being created by retirement.
“Companies are keen to recruit and we hope that our new recruits will spread the message that advanced manufacturing offers a secure, well paid career, with opportunities to gain degree level qualifications and above, without ending up in debt.
“We also want to get the message across that opportunities in small companies aren’t any less than those in large organisations and they can be greater. Smaller firms often offer staff the chance to use a broader range of skills, increased potential for promotion and, even, global travel.”
