Navantia UK to hire 35 apprentices in Scotland
To mark the Scottish Apprenticeship Week, Navantia UK today announced it will hire 35 apprentices at its Scottish sites, Methil and Arnish. Apprentices continue to support Navantia UK’s growth in shipbuilding and in supplying energy industries as well as the company’s long-term commitment to building sovereign industrial capabilities in Scotland.
Applications will open today and will be available on the Navantia UK website.
The growth of the apprenticeship programme in Scotland is a part of the wider campaign to hire 500 apprentices by 2030, announced on the first day of National Apprenticeship Week in February.
Navantia UK offers both Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeships. Methil will look to hire 20 apprentices while the Arnish site on the Isle of Lewis will intake 15.
In both sites, apprentices can choose to specialise in electrical engineering, fabrication and welding. Methil will also offer apprenticeships in technical computer aided design.
The company was named by the Sunday Times last year as one of the UK’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers.
Albert Allan, General Manager at Navantia UK Arnish, said: “Apprentices play a crucial role in the company growth. As we continue to invest, upgrade our facilities and win new projects, Arnish has become the employer of choice on the Isle of Lewis. Our next cohort of apprentices will have a chance to receive best-in-class training and part of energy projects that make a significant impact on regional economies.”
Mitchell Barrowman, apprenticeship supervisor at Navantia UK Methil, said: “Here at Navantia UK Apprentices really are the future of the company, I am very excited for the apprentices coming through over the next few years as we build our new training school and change the apprenticeships to give more time in the work environment.”
Following its purchase of Harland & Wolff’s assets last year, Navantia UK is investing in building a new generation of industrial skills in three of the UK’s four nations – England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Methil is building the FSS barge, an £8 million strategic investment by Navantia UK to transport ship blocks between Appledore and Belfast as part of the nationally important Fleet Solid Support programme. Recently, Methil was awarded a vessel build export contract, for which it will recruit an additional 120 people. Arnish employs 150 people and specialises in fabricating highly complex components for oil and gas as well as offshore wind sectors. It is currently delivering two international contracts. The Arnish site is currently going through a significant upgrade with new welfare and office facilities and the purchase of new state of the art equipment and the preparation for a new skills centre in progress.
Navantia UK has a £1.6 billion contract to build three Fleet Solid Support ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, which will deliver vital supplies to Royal Navy warships at sea. Other activities include building commercial vessels, ship repair and supplying the offshore energy industry.
Investing in apprenticeship training is at the core of Navantia UK’s strategy as it expands operations and modernises four of its facilities. A £115 million investment programme is underway across Navantia UK’s yards as work begins on the three FSS ships. An additional £12 million investment was recently announced in Methil.
“I chose an apprenticeship for the long-term opportunity of a good-paying job. I’ve already developed skills in vertical root welding, and it’s been a good experience so far.” – Finn Kennedy, Methil
“I chose this apprenticeship as my grandfather and father both worked at Arnish in the 80s and 90s, and I’ve always preferred practical work. It’s great working alongside experienced time served welders and platers, who’ve helped me develop my practical skills and industry knowledge. I’ve passed all my welding tests up to 6G pipe coding, and I’m now in the final year of my apprenticeship. Navantia UK have given me the opportunity to stay on the island, learn a skilled trade, and secure long-term employment.” – Liam Campbell, Arnish
“I decided to choose an apprenticeship because it allows me to learn in the workplace and work directly towards my goal of becoming a welder. I first heard about Navantia UK through posters at college and then attended an open day, which confirmed it was the perfect place to start my career.
My first impression was how friendly and helpful everyone is and I’m really looking forward to gaining my codings and working in the fabrication shops” – Lana Gilchrist, Methil
