The next generation of engineers has started at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) (www.amrc.co.uk) under a scheme set up to help employers secure the skills they need.

The Close Brothers SME apprenticeship programme (www.closebrothers.com) — supported by the AMRC and the Manufacturing Technologies Association — has helped to pay for 20 apprentices to support smaller businesses in the Sheffield City Region that might otherwise be unable to afford to take on an apprentice.

Nikki Jones, director of the AMRC training centre, said: “The recruitment of ambitious and fully trained apprentices who can hit the ground running is definitely the right way to go — not only to address the skills shortage in the UK but also to create a dynamic workforce brimming with fresh talent and new ideas.”

Adrian Sainsbury, managing director of Close Brothers banking division, said: “Apprenticeships are an excellent way for UK SMEs to fill skills gaps, develop their future workforce and improve their long-term growth prospects.

"We believe the scheme is making a genuine difference to the participating SMEs, which is why we have been working with the AMRC to support small businesses for the last three years, and we are delighted to be continuing our partnership this year.”