British Steel is bolstering its workforce with 70 new apprentice and graduate roles across its sites in Teesside, Skinningrove, Sheffield, and Scunthorpe, as part of a drive to build the next generation of steelmakers and secure the company's long-term future. The recruitment push follows the steelmaker's recent nationalisation, which passed a public interest test, and comes as the business aims to stabilise and develop a commercially sustainable path forward.
New starters to join in September
The Scunthorpe site will welcome 36 electrical, mechanical, and structural apprentices in September, while 17 apprentices will join British Steel's Northern mills in Teesside and Skinningrove, and one will be based at the company's R&D centre in Sheffield. In addition, 16 graduates will join the company – the first cohort since 2022, following the relaunch of British Steel's graduate recruitment programme this year.
Minister for Industry, Blair McDougall, commented: "Reindustrialising Britain starts with steel. These new roles will help build the next generation of skilled workers we need to secure the long-term future of British Steel and strengthen one of our foundation industries. We acted to safeguard British Steel because steelmaking is vital to our economy, our security and our industrial future. Today's announcement is a sign of that brighter future, creating new opportunities for young people in communities across the UK to build careers at the heart of Britain's industrial renewal."
High demand for roles
British Steel received more than 1,000 applications when the roles were advertised earlier this year, and successful candidates underwent a rigorous selection process, including assessment centres. Nick Ashton, British Steel's HR director, said: "The quality of applications for our apprentice and graduate roles was extremely high, so we're excited by the prospect of inviting so many talented new people into the business. Together they are an important part of our future as they are our next generation of engineers, technical specialists, and functional experts, with the opportunity to build long-term and fulfilling careers with British Steel. Together, with our highly skilled colleagues, they will help manufacture the steel Britain needs now and for decades to come and we look forward to welcoming them into the company at such an exciting time for British Steel."
Training and development
Earlier this year, British Steel reopened its Scunthorpe apprentice training centre as part of its commitment to skills development. Scunthorpe apprentices will receive training from tutors at CATCH, British Steel's training provider, alongside in-house experts. The first year will be predominantly classroom-based, followed by three years of hands-on experience on the Scunthorpe site. Apprentices for Teesside and Skinningrove will begin their studies with TTE in partnership with Middlesbrough College Group before moving to their respective sites.
Graduates will take on roles across the business, including Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical), Manufacturing, Technical, Commercial, Finance, and IT. The announcement follows the Government's nationalisation of British Steel in July, with interim chief executive Allan Bell describing it as a "momentous day" for the company. He added: "Much more than that, it is an historic day for Britain and UK manufacturing, one which safeguards our future and strengthens the national security and infrastructure."
