A high-end Dundee engineering firm is to take on 60 new apprentices over the next five years following a £1.8 million cash injection.
GA Engineering manufactures precision-tooled components for use in the oil and gas, chemical and automotive industries from its base at Pitkerro industrial estate.
The firm which counts Halliburton, Expro and WL Gore among its client base has secured a new five-year banking facility with Lloyds TSB and the Bank of Scotland and created a new training academy at its Dundee headquarters.
The facility will cater for 12 apprentices every year who will be trained in a variety of engineering skills.
Managing director Gordon Deuchars said there was a severe skills shortage in the industry, and training apprentices capable of taking on bespoke engineering tasks was essential to the company’s future.
Although the academy is a new development, GA has been offering apprenticeships for 15 years and has already reaped the rewards of making a financial commitment to uprating engineering skills.
The company has quadrupled its turnover from £3m to £12m in the past three years and employs a staff of 140.
“The young lads are the lifeblood and future of this company, and what we are looking to do is formalise the training facility and expand it,” Mr Deuchars said.
“GA Engineering have identified a huge skills shortage and are making a commitment to taking on 60 apprentices over the next five years.
“We will offer them a four-year apprenticeship, and once they are time-served they will be some of the most qualified engineers in the country as the range of machines we have here is unique in the UK.”
The apprentices will learn manual and computer numerical controlled (CNC)machine-based milling and turning techniques and be taught how to carry out non-destructive testing, component inspection and calibration.
CNC milling apprentice Barry Allen (21) of Broughty Ferry was taken on by GA 1 years ago and said that the opportunity to carry out on-the-job training had been a huge factor in his decision to join the company.
He said: “I did engineering systems at Dundee College for two years and applied for the job here when it came up.
“I was really struggling to find anyone that was taking on, but I got an interview and came up here and was given a tour of the factory and it was obviously something I wanted to do.
“Through the company I’m working towards an SVQ level three. It has been really good especially for someone of my age who wants to get a foothold in engineering.”
Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney took a tour of GA’s headquarters yesterday and praised the company’s willingness to support new talent as it came through.
He also said it was important that banks were seen to be lending to aspirational firms such as GA, and the Scottish Government gave them the support they needed through the Modern Apprenticeship scheme.
“This Government recognises the importance of a skilled workforce, which is aligned to the needs of industry, and this is why we are creating 25,000 Modern Apprenticeships in every year of this Parliament,” Mr Swinney said.
“The company’s decision to realise its growth ambitions from Dundee is fantastic news for the local economy and testament to the quality of the local workforce,” he added.