Apprentices from across the business are proving they have what it takes to become first-class welders following a flurry of recent achievements. Scunthorpe-based apprentices Lewis Blackshaw, Josh Catterall and Curtis Wood recently achieved EIS 3 - Tata Steel's equipment integrity standard - category 'A' qualifications in manual metal arc welding.
This enables them to weld on high integrity fabrications on the Scunthorpe site. In addition, Sam Farquharson and Joe Dowse are currently undergoing training to weld on category 'B' fabrications following a 10-week programme. Stuart East, Welder Test Centre Team Leader, has helped them through their qualifications. He said: "These apprentices will now be deployed to a plant area to commence 'live work'. They all have the ability to succeed as first rate craftsmen in their chosen discipline." Meanwhile, an apprentice from Tata Steel Projects in Workington scooped the silver medal in the UK National SkillWeld competition, a 19-hour welding challenge held over three days. Jamie Robinson, who had already been nominated for the National Apprentice of the Year award, was delighted to take second place in the country's most prestigious welding competition. Jamie's colleague and fellow apprentice Jamie Hayton also took part in the final after winning his local heat.
John Coughlan, Director of Manufacturing Tata Steel Projects, said: "This is recognition of the skill level within the business.
"It further demonstrates the ability of the skilled craftsmen within Tata Steel who have passed their knowledge and skills onto the next generation and the talent of this new generation to learn and build on these essential skills passed down."