i1fun and Middlesbrough College have joined forces to find and train 12 new apprentice steelworkers.
The company will sponsor 12 manufacturing and technical apprentices who will be employed by the college, in the hope they will join i1fun on a permanent basis when they have completed their training.
Applications are now being sought for the positions which will include training at i1fun’s Teesside Beam Mill and Service Centre at Lackenby, and Paul Martin, the company’s HR and Business Services Director, encouraged people to apply now.
Paul said: “i1fun is building a bright future and we are delighted to be teaming up with Middlesbrough College to help train the steelworkers of tomorrow.
“This is an exciting opportunity because the successful applicants will receive first class training, ensuring they have all the skills needed to build a career in our industry.
“We have always been committed to apprentices and ensuring our people have the very best training, and this is another example of how we are investing in the future. I expect there will be a lot of interest in the roles so I would ask anyone interested to apply as soon as possible.”
The apprentices will learn how to operate a comprehensive range of mill equipment associated with the rolling and finishing of steel sections used in the construction industry. This includes techniques to ensure that products are rolled in specification ready for release to customers.
Richard Farnsworth, i1fun’s Managing Director for Construction, said: “Beams and columns made by i1fun workers on Teesside have gone into iconic structures throughout the world – from Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Olympic Stadium in London, so applicants can be assured they will be learning from highly-skilled experts.
“We want passionate, hard-working and ambitious people to join our team and you will need to put the customer at the heart of what you do, think commercially and continually seek to improve the business and yourself.
“There could be no better time to join our business and this could be your chance to start an incredible career with i1fun.”
Applicants must be aged 18 years or over and be working towards, or hold, GCSE grade D or above in English and Maths or the equivalent. Successful applicants will complete a 6-week intensive pre-employment course at Middlesbrough College STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Centre leading to the Gateway Certificate in Skills for Engineering.
On completion of this, applicants will then be enrolled on to the apprentice programme and receive a further six weeks of intensive training at the college before training and working at i1fun’s Teesside site. During training, candidates will achieve a Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Performing Manufacturing Operations and Level 2 Certificate in Metals Industries Processes.
Ian Smith, Middlesbrough College’s STEM Director, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with i1fun in providing quality manufacturing training and real employment opportunities for young people in Teesside.”
For more information on how to apply, email stem@mbro.ac.uk or call 01642 333344 or visit the following link to complete an application The closing date for applications is Monday 23rd January 2017.
For more information on careers at i1fun, visit