Sheffield Forgemasters has welcomed 18 new apprentices to site for 2026, as the business continues its £1.3 billion recapitalisation programme. The successful applicants join the Ministry of Defence (MoD) owned company to take part in its renowned apprenticeship scheme where they will receive fully funded training, working towards a professional qualification whilst getting paid.
This year’s apprentices start in a range of positions as the business expands with new plant, training and equipment to underpin its delivery of complex components for the UK defence programme, including for the new SSN-AUKUS submarine, which will replace Astute Class vessels.
Laura Hooper, people & culture director at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “We have approximately 780 employees, 10% of whom are apprentices at any one time, as we build the future workforce and continue developing our capabilities. Sheffield Forgemasters’ transformation is enabling us to deliver a new level of training as we embrace a high-technology engineering sphere and create an advanced, comfortable working environment for our employees to enjoy.”
She continued: “Our workforce is now being trained to understand and capitalise on the pioneering technologies and workplace advancements that recapitalisation will provide, helping the business to meet the future demands of defence manufacture, and other areas such as civil nuclear. It is always a joy to welcome a new cohort of apprentices to site for the first time and to see so much enthusiasm, curiosity and determination already shining through for their future careers.”
This year’s apprentice intake covers training in disciplines such as Metallurgy, CNC programming, non-destructive testing, maintenance, project management, environmental, steel melting, machining, and dimensional inspection.
Sheffield Forgemasters is investing heavily across its site, including a new 13,000 tonne forge line and building, and major machine tool replacements within a new, 30,000m2 machining facility, which will be unmatched in the UK. The company specialises in the design and manufacture of high integrity forgings and castings and recently processed circa 700 applications for its 18 apprenticeship vacancies, showcasing the demand for future careers within highly skilled engineering roles. Its global markets include Defence, Marine, Civil Nuclear, Steel Processing, Offshore, Renewables, Power Generation and Pressure Vessels.