Steel apprenticeships attract over 200 applicants

More than 200 people have applied for 30 apprenticeship roles at British Steel in Scunthorpe, the firm has said.

The company, which is also recruiting for 180 permanent roles, said it was looking to enrol its first apprentices in three years.

It comes after plans to make 2,700 workers redundant were scrapped in April after the government took control of the company from its Chinese owner, Jingye.

Allan Bell, the company's interim chief executive, said the number of applications showed "a major vote of confidence in our business".

"Our new apprentices will be our next generation of engineers and technical experts and support our journey to becoming a sustainable and profitable business at the heart of the UK economy," he added.

The application window for apprenticeships closes on Friday at 23.59 BST.

British Steel said it was also recruiting 182 workers in a range of roles, including jobs in engineering, cleaning and workplace safety.

The government passed an emergency law to take control of British Steel amid accusations that Jingye was planning to switch off two blast furnaces in Scunthorpe.

The closure of the furnaces would have left the UK without the capability to produce "virgin" steel, which is used in major construction projects such as new buildings and railways.

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