A talented young apprentice has landed his dream job at one of the world’s leading hygiene product manufacturers after the firm developed a special training programme with Gateshead College.
Rhys Smith, who is 18 from West Denton, has embarked on a technical apprenticeship at Prudhoe-based SCA Hygiene after completing Gateshead College’s pre-apprenticeship scheme.
The First Diploma in Manufacturing and Engineering equips students with the knowledge and discipline to forge a career in engineering, including key aspects of the manufacturing environment and production facilities and exclusive opportunities to gain an apprenticeship.
Apprentice team leader at SCA Hygiene, Ian Callender, said: “The apprentices are hugely beneficial to our business, and more than 75% are kept on and climb up the career ladder.
“The training is adapted to the precise needs of our business, which enables us to maximise productivity and performance. We also have a member of the Gateshead College team in on a full-time basis to help us train the apprentices.”
The Level 3 Technical Apprenticeship developed by SCA and Gateshead College covers quality standards, health and safety management, risk assessment and impact of manufacturing processes on the environment. Apprentices work while attending college once a week throughout the four-year course.
Rhys said: “The pre-apprenticeship introductory course at Gateshead College really prepared me for my apprenticeship with SCA Hygiene.
“I am really enjoying the experience as I get to learn in a real working environment with guidance from employers and assessors, while also earning a wage.”
Ivan Jepson, director of business development at Gateshead College said: “Rhys is a fantastic example of how we can help students into work through a range of routes. The pre-apprenticeship introductory course helped Rhys by preparing him for a professional working environment, and his following apprenticeship is now training him to be a skilled worker in the engineering industry.”
To find out more about Gateshead College, visit www.gateshead.ac.uk.