Engineering firm Neptune said yesterday it had taken on its largest annual intake of apprentices.
The company, which has bases at Stonehaven, Fordoun and Aberdeen, said it had recruited five trainees under its Modern Apprenticeship scheme after receiving an overwhelming 160 applications.
Neptune, owned by Neptune Marine Services, which has its headquarters in Perth, Western Australia, now employs nearly 100 people at its three north-east bases, of which 15 are apprentices.
Human resources manager Trish Young said: “What is important for us is to grow our own talent. When people join us on the apprenticeship scheme they often stay. We put a lot of emphasis on training our staff and helping them develop further.”
Mrs Young said she was not surprised by the high number of applicants for Neptune’s apprenticeship scheme, adding: “It is very encouraging to see so many people wanting to join the industry.
“Our people are our business, and if we can engage with young people it is good news for them and also helps our succession planning.”
