Twenty new apprenticeships created at York Potash (From Gazette & Herald)

Twenty new apprenticeships created at York Potash

11:42am Tuesday 12th March 2013 in News By Dan Bean, dan.bean@thepress.co.uk

A MAJOR North Yorkshire mining development has announced it will create 20 new engineering apprenticeships for local people.

York Potash announced it will create the posts, which have been welcomed by the local MP, and will be targeting local people aged under 25.

The announcement comes at the start of National Apprenticeship Week, and is part of the developers’ plans to train up to 500 people over the next three years, including up to 50 apprentices, as part of its education and skills programme.

Matt Parsons, education and skills manager at York Potash, said: “A new, modern potash mine will require a highly-skilled workforce and as we have always said, we will look to source our team from the local area before looking further afield.

“These new apprenticeships continue to re-affirm our long-term commitment to create employment opportunities across all areas of our business and together with our other training programmes they will help us to nurture local skills and talent.”

The new mine, four kilometres south of Whitby, is set to create 1,000 direct jobs and the apprentices will complete a three-year scheme, with a year in full-time training and two years “on the job” training. Apprentices will also be encouraged to progress their careers with York Potash and become fully-qualified engineers.

Robert Goodwill, MP for Scarborough and Whitby, said: “I warmly welcome the announcement that York Potash intends to create 20 engineering apprenticeships this year.

“It is good news for the area and I’m pleased that the company is prepared to invest in skills development for local people.”

David Way, chief executive of the National Apprenticeship Service, said: “We are delighted by York Potash’s continued commitment to apprenticeships.”

Recruitment for the new positions will take place later this year, and more details are available at yorkpotash.co.uk or by emailing apprenticeships@yorkpotash.co.uk