Saved Vauxhall site to double apprentice hiring
22 May 2012
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The Vauxhall car plant at Ellesmere Port has said that it will double the number of technical apprentices next year – as plans get underway to build the next-generation Astra at the site.
The news follows the announcement earlier this week that the factory – which is owned by global company General Motors - has been saved from closure, preserving 2,100 jobs and creating 700 more in a £125 million investment.
Elizabeth Lowe, North West business partner for Semta, the sector skills council for science, engineering and manufacturing, said: “General Motors is one of our key North West companies, whom we have worked with for many years. We are thrilled with the news that the site will stay open, and the new jobs will bring a significant economic boost to the region.
“After undertaking a skills gap analysis and working through the Semta Skills and Growth Working Group, we found that if the company wanted to grow it would need to ensure it had a robust skills succession plan, and as a result Vauxhall will be recruiting more apprentices – which is fantastic.”
Bob Holmes, HR training manager at the Vauxhall site, said: “This is a very exciting week not only for Vauxhall and our suppliers but also the whole of the North West region. Our fortunes are greatly entwined and this news will hopefully help in the continued regeneration of the region. The decision to double our intake of technical apprentices brings a real opportunity for young people in the North West. Apprentices bring new capabilities, skills and technologies which help businesses to stay ahead.”
Bill Twigg, apprenticeship director at Semta, said: “Technical skills are scarce and are getting more difficult and expensive to hire. Around 15 per cent of apprentices demonstrated the competence of a skilled craftsman after only 30 months on the programme, so can deliver real cost benefits to the company, as well as having a positive impact on tackling youth unemployment.”
For further information please contact Semta Customer Services on 0845 643 9001 or customerservices@semta.org.uk Web:www.semta.org.uk
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