Chatteris firm Stainless Metalcraft is aiming to continue offering apprenticeships and training schemes by joining the 5% Club.

The 5% Club is a movement of employers which are committed to investing in training to fill the skills gap and support the UK’s ability to compete in increasingly tough global markets.

Austen Adams, managing director, said: “The skills gap is an issue often talked about in manufacturing circles. Engineering skills take years to acquire and hone and, with many skilled workers coming towards retirement age, those skills are not something that can be quickly and easily replaced.

“We have ambitious growth plans across the business and we’ll need a larger, highly-skilled workforce to deliver on those plans. While we’ve already committed to employing up to 10 new apprentices a year until at least 2020, we’re keen to explore the full range of ‘earn as you learn’ opportunities to deliver against business needs.”

Stainless Metalcraft currently employs 154 people, including 26 apprentices, which is already significantly higher than the five per cent target.

For more information, visit www.metalcraft.co.uk.