Liberty Speciality Steels (www.libertyhousegroup.com) has agreed a contract with Sheffield College to train 50 new apprentices for its plants at Stocksbridge and Rotherham.

The company has reached a landmark agreement with the college to turn its in-house apprentice training facilities at Stocksbridge steelworks into an industry-based campus for the college — to deliver both practical and theoretical learning.

The recruitment of apprentices comes just three months after Liberty acquired the 1,700-worker business from Tata Steel UK; it is part of expansion plans that will create 300 new jobs.

The company’s latest batch of 50 apprentices ranges in age from 16 to 35. Those aged between 16 and 20 and will begin a level 3 apprenticeship, while the older recruits will undertake a higher apprenticeship in engineering.

Tony Goddard, training delivery manager at Liberty Speciality Steels, said: "Since the last recession, there has been a gradual grow-back within the engineering and manufacturing industries, which has created a demand for highly skilled people.

"To ensure that our business can continue to grow, we have committed to apprenticeship programmes which we believe can deliver individuals with the right skills and knowledge at the right times to ensure that the company can move forward.”

Andrew Hartley, business development director at Sheffield College, said: “We are delighted to launch this new partnership with Liberty Speciality Steels at such an exciting time for the company.

"Apprenticeships offer employers a fantastic opportunity to attract and mould new talent, as well as develop existing staff, so that businesses have the skills they need to raise productivity, boost growth and increase levels of innovation.”