Harland & Wolff, which is preparing to resume shipbuilding at its recently acquired Appledore Shipyard, is planning to launch an apprenticeship scheme in 2021 in North Devon and Belfast.
It will offer apprenticeships 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 will 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 sector: cruise & ferries, defence, oil and gas, commercial and renewables, as well as across the full lifecycle of services it offers: technical services, building and fabrication, repair and maintenance, in-service support, conversion, and decommissioning.
Prospective apprentices can register their interest in advance on the Harland & Wolff web site at harland-wolff.com/careers/apprenticeships/
Harland & Wolff would also like to hear from any relevant apprentices who have been unable to complete their apprenticeship through the recent loss of employment.
“Over a quarter of our current workforce here are ex-Harland & Wolff apprentices, many of whom are now in management positions,” says Kelly O’Rourke, group director of Human Resources.” We can’t just wait for opportunity; we need to create it. Today, we see great opportunity for Harland & Wolff. To create value, we need a steady stream of good local talent coming through the business and surely the best way to achieve this is through launching a new apprenticeship scheme.
“This important launch will be another meaningful step forward in Harland & Wolff’s journey and a further demonstration of our strong commitment to the future sustainability of the shipyard.”
A Petroc source adds: “Petroc has worked alongside Appledore Shipyard for many years providing skilled apprenticeships, and we look forward to working with InfraStrata as they develop the site for the future.”
Harland & Wolff (Belfast) is one of Europe’s largest heavy engineering facilities, with deep water access, deep water quayside berths and vast fabrication halls. Following the acquisition of Harland & Wolff (Appledore), the company will be able to capitalise on opportunities at both ends of the ship-repair and shipbuilding markets where it has strategic and unique assets that will be in significant demand.
Harland & Wolff is a wholly-owned subsidiary of InfraStrata plc (AIM: INFA), a London Stock Exchange-listed firm focused on strategic infrastructure projects and physical asset life-cycle management.
• Details harland-wolff.com
