Iconic shipyard Harland & Wolff has welcomed eleven new apprentices to its Methil site in Scotland.
Its Apprenticeship Induction Day will run in line and with partnership from Fife College and will see apprentices range from 16 – 27 years old, with a mixture of genders.
The day gave the newest recruits a chance to tour the site as well as learn more about Harland & Wolff’s heritage and significance within national and international maritime sectors.
Harland and Wolff (Methil) general manager William Duff said: “We’re incredibly excited to welcome our newest apprentices on site and to the Harland & Wolff Group.
“Steeped in history and heritage, Harland & Wolff is a great place to start your career, especially as we begin to ramp up work on our latest contract for the fabrication and load-out of eight wind turbine generator (WTG) jacket foundations.
“These jackets will service the EDF Renewables and ESB owned Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm project located in the outer Firth of Forth in Scotland.
“Committed to harnessing fresh talent and paving the way for the next generation of UK trades, there isn’t a better location and organisation for our apprentices to begin their professional journey.”
Harland & Wolff Apprenticeships are offered across three distinct functions, trade, (welders, pipefitters, electricians, riggers, fabricators, etc) technical, (engineers, naval architecture) and business support (sales, administration).
Highlights of the unique training programme include practical on-the-job training, one-to-one mentoring alongside its experienced workforce, shipyard training facilities and the opportunity to earn while you learn.
As part of the scheme, apprentices will have the chance to experience working across Harland & Wolff’s five key markets including renewables.
They will also train across the full lifecycle from technical services, building and fabrication, repair and maintenance, in service support, conversion, and decommissioning.
Harland & Wolff’s Belfast yard is one of Europe’s largest heavy engineering facilities, with deep water access, two of Europe’s largest drydocks, ample quayside and vast fabrication halls.
As a result of the acquisition of Harland & Wolff (Appledore) in August 2020, the company has been able to capitalise on opportunities at both ends of the ship-repair and shipbuilding markets where this will be significant demand.
In February 2021, the company acquired the assets of two Scottish based yards along the east and west coasts.
Now known as Harland & Wolff (Methil) and Harland & Wolff (Arnish), these facilities will focus on fabrication work within the renewable, oil and gas and defence sectors.