British Steel is on the hunt for new Teesside apprentices.

The firm has joined forces with Middlesbrough College to find and train 12 new apprentice steelworkers.

The manufacturing and technical apprentices will be employed by the college, in the hope they will join British Steel on a permanent basis when they have completed their training.

Applications are now being sought for the positions which will include training at British Steel’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.

“British Steel is building a bright future and we are delighted to be teaming up with Middlesbrough College to help train the steelworkers of tomorrow,” he said.

“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, British Steel’s managing director for construction, said: “Beams and columns made by British Steel 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.”

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.