A RAPIDLY expanding engineering company is holding an open day in its search for a number of apprentices.

Electrical mechanical engineering firm Houghton International, of Newcastle, is offering successful candidates the Association of Mechanical and Electrical Trades (AEMT) Electro Mechanical Apprenticeship Programme, delivered with Loughborough College.

The four-year apprenticeship is a full-time, work-based programme, where apprentices can achieve qualifications including Btecs and level three NVQs in electronic engineering.

Those who complete the programme successfully will get further opportunities with Houghton International to develop their careers by taking HND and HNC qualifications.

Candidates wishing to put themselves forward for the apprenticeships must have five GCSEs at grade C or above, including maths, English language and a science.

The company, which is undergoing a £1.5m expansion plan, pioneers technical and commercial innovation in the repair, maintenance and life extension of rotating electrical machines.

It works in the rail, power, industrial, oil and gas, mining and marine industries.

Human resources manager Jacqueline Mason said: “Apprenticeships are an essential part of our commitment to the skills development of our workforce.

“As the sectors we serve evolve it is important that we maintain a high level of skills and competencies to meet the current and future challenges of our customers.”

“Our first Apprentice Open Day last year proved extremely successful with more than 80 attendees and an additional 100 applications.

“We recruited five apprentices from the day who are currently completing their first year of the programme and I hope we’ll receive an equally high number of excellent applicants this year.”

The recruitment open day takes place on Wednesday, July 4, between 9am and 3pm, at the company’s head office Neptune House, Unit 3, Riverside Court, Ambrose Place, off Fisher Street, Walker, Newcastle, NE6 4LT.

Interested applicants will be able to discuss the opportunities available to them and meet the management team and the company’s existing apprentices. For more details, email careers@houghton-international.com