Elringklinger continues to engineer young talent into its workforce

Teesside-based engineering company, ElringKlinger (GB), has once more recruited a set of young faces onto their ‘Year in Industry’ undergraduate programme this September.

ElringKlinger (GB), which manufactures automotive parts for the likes of Ford, Jaguar Landrover and BMW, has taken on four students from Northumbria University and Teesside University on a year-long placement to supplement their degrees in Mechanical Engineering.

The company liaised directly with the universities and selected the new recruits following a half day assessment at ElringKlinger’s (GB) plant in Redcar earlier this year. 22-year-old Luke O’Brien and 20-year-olds Rachael Bollands, Alex Ramsay and Matthew Barron have now taken up their placement at ElringKlinger (GB), which is ranked among the top three automotive parts’ suppliers worldwide.

Northumbria University Engineering & Environment director of placements, Gerhard Fehringer, said: “We are very pleased and proud that ElringKlinger has again chosen our students to fill their placement vacancies. The one year placement scheme gives our students the excellent opportunity of gaining substantial work experience, which is so important in today’s job market, as part of their degree programme.

“By taking up a placement, our students not only enhance their technical skills but also qualities such as leadership and being able to innovate, or to find solutions to real-life problems. This dramatically improves their prospects of securing quality employment after graduation.”

Currently employing 140 staff, the company has made plans with all three of last year’s Year in Industry students for them to return to a career at ElringKlinger (GB) on completing their university course – with two already in part time contracts while they finish the last year of their degree.

Aston Barlow, who recently completed his Year in Industry with ElringKlinger (GB) said: “The in-house training I received during my placement was invaluable and I would urge those seeking a career in the industry to pursue this route as it really increases your prospects.

“After spending the last four weeks of my Year in Industry mentoring the new students and giving them close hands-on experience in the same way that I was introduced into the company, I am now working on a part time contract at ElringKlinger (GB) while I complete my degree at Teesside University.”

New recruit Rachael Bollands from Northumbria University said: “I’ve only been on placement for a few weeks but have already learned a huge amount. Being able to experience a commercial shop floor first-hand and work alongside long-standing employees is really inspiring – I’m looking forward to the next few months!”

ElringKlinger (GB) is dedicated to supporting students and young people in the region and is keen to continue its work with universities to establish a future talent pipeline. In line with this, it has a developed a five-year expansion plan where it has pledged to create 60 jobs to boost employment in the area, which it is well on its way to delivering.

Managing director of ElringKlinger (GB) Ltd, Ian Malcolm said: “I have been with the company for many years now and work with a number of incredibly experienced professionals but it is always encouraging to see young people taking an interest and actively pursuing a career in the engineering sector.

“The skills shortage issue is apparent in the industry so I believe firmly in bringing in new talent from education to equip them with the skills they need to establish themselves for a successful future in engineering.”