News: MP raises plight of steel firm's apprentices in Parliament
Apprentices due to start at Liberty Steel in South Yorkshire are some of the first casualties of the company being placed into liquidation.
An Official Receiver was appointed last month as liquidator of Speciality Steel UK Ltd (SSUK) with Teneo Financial Advisory Limited appointed as Special Managers of the company, previously part of Liberty Steel and the GFG Aliiance, to assist the Official Receiver with the liquidation.
Sarah Champion, the MP for Rotherham, joined fellow MPs in a debate on the issue and asked the Minister for Industry, Sarah Jones about the support for workers in Rotherham and Stocksbridge, included around 30 new start apprentices.
The minister stated: "A number of apprentices were due to start this week, but the official receiver took the decision that, given that the 12-month continuation of the apprenticeships could not be guaranteed, it was right to try to find them other placements.
"I am taking a close personal interest in what happens to those 50 people. I know the local authority and the Department for Education are trying to ensure that we can find other places for them. I want to make sure that we can do so, because one of the things this Government are passionate about is ensuring that our young people have the apprenticeships to give them support for the jobs that we know we need into the future."
Liberty's Speciality Steels' apprenticeship programme is renowned in the region and often features amongst the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers.
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In April it announced 19 new apprenticeship opportunities for 2025 in the following roles: Electrical Engineer Apprentice, Mechanical Engineer Apprentice, General Welder Apprentice, Non-Destructive Testing Apprentice, Process Control (Electrical) Apprentice, Materials Engineering Degree Apprentice, Electrical Engineering Degree Apprentice.
Training partners include Sheffield Hallam University (Degree Apprenticeships), Sheffield College and Lavender International NDT Consultancy Services Limited. The length of apprenticeships varies depending on the programme, but is typically between one and five years.
Just last month, Tony Goddard, Training & Development Manager at Liberty Steel, explained: "Our Apprentices gain high-level skills and experience, initially through the expert instructors at the training centre, and later on, through our experienced craftspeople in the business. They’re learning the trade and essential life skills at the same time.
“And for the business, it’s about safeguarding the future. Developing talent in-house means we retain essential skills and keep our plants running efficiently. It also has a positive ripple effect our workforce takes pride in mentoring the next generation. There’s real energy around that.”
For the existing 1,400 employees, the official receiver has confirmed that August salaries were released and added that it was "urgently working with the Company and the pension provider to clarify the pension position in more detail."
Liberty Steel website
Images: Liberty Steel
An Official Receiver was appointed last month as liquidator of Speciality Steel UK Ltd (SSUK) with Teneo Financial Advisory Limited appointed as Special Managers of the company, previously part of Liberty Steel and the GFG Aliiance, to assist the Official Receiver with the liquidation.
Sarah Champion, the MP for Rotherham, joined fellow MPs in a debate on the issue and asked the Minister for Industry, Sarah Jones about the support for workers in Rotherham and Stocksbridge, included around 30 new start apprentices.
The minister stated: "A number of apprentices were due to start this week, but the official receiver took the decision that, given that the 12-month continuation of the apprenticeships could not be guaranteed, it was right to try to find them other placements.
"I am taking a close personal interest in what happens to those 50 people. I know the local authority and the Department for Education are trying to ensure that we can find other places for them. I want to make sure that we can do so, because one of the things this Government are passionate about is ensuring that our young people have the apprenticeships to give them support for the jobs that we know we need into the future."
Liberty's Speciality Steels' apprenticeship programme is renowned in the region and often features amongst the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers.
Advertisement
In April it announced 19 new apprenticeship opportunities for 2025 in the following roles: Electrical Engineer Apprentice, Mechanical Engineer Apprentice, General Welder Apprentice, Non-Destructive Testing Apprentice, Process Control (Electrical) Apprentice, Materials Engineering Degree Apprentice, Electrical Engineering Degree Apprentice.
Training partners include Sheffield Hallam University (Degree Apprenticeships), Sheffield College and Lavender International NDT Consultancy Services Limited. The length of apprenticeships varies depending on the programme, but is typically between one and five years.
Just last month, Tony Goddard, Training & Development Manager at Liberty Steel, explained: "Our Apprentices gain high-level skills and experience, initially through the expert instructors at the training centre, and later on, through our experienced craftspeople in the business. They’re learning the trade and essential life skills at the same time.
“And for the business, it’s about safeguarding the future. Developing talent in-house means we retain essential skills and keep our plants running efficiently. It also has a positive ripple effect our workforce takes pride in mentoring the next generation. There’s real energy around that.”
For the existing 1,400 employees, the official receiver has confirmed that August salaries were released and added that it was "urgently working with the Company and the pension provider to clarify the pension position in more detail."
Liberty Steel website
Images: Liberty Steel
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