Sheffield Forgemasters has welcomed 23 new apprentices as part of its continued transformation into one of the world’s most advanced manufacturing facilities. This latest intake will participate in the company’s award-winning apprenticeship scheme, receiving fully funded training, earning a salary, and working toward a professional qualification.
These apprentices will start at a variety of levels as Sheffield Forgemasters advances its significant investment in new plant and equipment. This includes producing complex components for the UK defence programme, notably the new SSN-AUKUS submarine set to replace Astute Class vessels.
According to Emily Wynne, People Development Advisor – Early Careers, the company remains focused on identifying top candidates for the apprenticeships programme, ensuring the next generation of employees can preserve and enhance existing skills. The transformation at Sheffield Forgemasters encompasses both physical assets and workforce capabilities, reflecting its shift into high-technology engineering for future defence work, civil nuclear, and renewable energy applications.
Sheffield Forgemasters is undertaking a decade-long investment strategy to support defence-critical assets, including a new 13,000-tonne forge line and building, plus 17 major machine tool replacements within a new 30,000m² machining facility. This new facility will be without parallel elsewhere in the UK.
Emily Wynne also notes that the company’s apprenticeship programme is renowned regionally, offering future generations the chance for an exciting and meaningful career path, complete with valuable lifelong skills. Recruitment efforts for the 2025 apprentice intake are already underway and will be announced via Sheffield Forgemasters’ website and social media channels.
This year’s intake covers a range of disciplines, including Site Services, Machining, Non Destructive Testing, Projects, Quality Control, Work Rolls, IT, Recapitalisation, Distribution, Test House, and Finance, along with one degree apprentice studying Metallurgy at Sheffield Hallam University. Training partner AMRC Training Centre continues to support the apprenticeship programme.
