Sheffield Forgemasters has welcomed its latest intake of 15 apprentices.

The new recruits are training for a wide variety of positions from machinists to associate project managers, as the company aims to future-proof the business with a younger workforce and new skill-sets.

Recruited from around South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire, they will receive four-year apprenticeships that comply with all Government-approved training standards, funding and assessment plans.

Rick Franckeiss, Sheffield Foregemasters group training manager (www.sheffieldforgemasters.com), said: “It is always exciting to welcome these forward-thinking individuals to our company, and we look forward to helping them establish life-long careers with good salaries and the chance to progress within the business.

"This year’s intake builds on our largest ever recruitment of 33 apprentices last year, taking our total number of apprentices to 61 out of 680 staff — almost 10% of our workforce.

“The company is making a significant commitment in terms of wages, training fees and mentoring time for our apprentices, but it is a long-term investment.”

Sheffield Forgemasters has been a staunch champion of modern apprenticeships over the last two decades, and it has recently been nominated by Sheffield Hallam University for an honorary degree in recognition of the important work of its management and staff.