Sheffield Forgemasters prepare students for work

Published: 13 August 2015

Sheffield Forgemasters is undertaking its largest ever placement programme for potential young engineers to experience the world of work this summer.

The engineering giant will welcome 26 male and female students over the summer period to its Brightside Lane base offering pupils, undergraduates and postgraduates the chance to see what takes place inside in the world renowned manufacturing company.

A number of the school placements, from nearby schools to Sheffield Forgemasters, are part of the two year Master Cutlers’ Ambassador programme, organised by Work-wise - an employer inspired and led initiative for engineering, manufacturing and related sectors.

Students aged between 15 and 27 will come from the UTC Sheffield, Westbourne School, Wath Comprehensive, Wales High School, Bradfield School, Westfield School, Firth Park Academy, Stocksbridge High School, Swinton Community School and Sheffield Hallam University for between 5 days and three months.

Graham Honeyman, chief executive officer at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: "It is extremely important to us to support the development of young people so they have the knowledge, skills, aptitude and opportunities for employment.

"We want to practically help prepare young people for employment and careers within engineering and manufacturing and help stem the increase in youth unemployment: addressing skill shortages that are a barrier to economic growth.

"These work placement opportunities provide young people, our future generation workforce, with a broad range of inspirational, industry focused, work related learning and development experiences led and supported by our employees at Forgemasters."

Work placement students are placed across the 64-acre site including in the Forge, Melt Shop, Machine Shops and in the company's divisions Vulcan, Steel Propeller and RD26.

Vulcan currently has Sheffield Hallam University student Rob Croxton on a year long placement while RD26 has four undergraduate Brazilian students from Hallam on three month placements. A Spanish student has just completed his placement. RD26 also two post graduate students doing PhDs from the University of Sheffield on long term placements.

Forgemasters also has a postgraduate NHS-funded Occupational Health student for a year in its Occupational Health Centre.