100% Job Success for Derwentside College students

Nineteen Engineering students from one class at Derwentside College are celebrating as they have all have landed jobs with some of the area’s top engineering companies. 

After completing their first year of study, the Level 3 Mechanical Engineering students have all now progressed to Advanced Apprenticeships for companies including Greencroft Bottling, KC Engineering, Lamplas, Pinnacle Re-Tec and Bonds Cast Tech.

One of the students, Jake Walker, said:  “I am delighted to have secured an Apprenticeship with Metaltech in Consett.  The course has been great - I’ve learnt so many things from my tutors and I’ve now had the opportunity to put all that theory into practice at work.  Metaltech have given me significant support by putting me on specialist training in the area of Metallurgy, alongside my programme at College.  I can’t wait to complete my Apprenticeship and become a proper Technician.”

Managing Director of Metaltech, Dr Graeme Forster said: “I was very impressed by the standard of students from Derwentside College.  I chose Jake from all of the applicants because he demonstrated a real willingness to learn and progress within our business.  I’m grateful to the College for offering Jake the chance to educate and develop himself both academically and technically.  Jake has developed remarkably quickly to become a valuable addition to the workforce at Metaltech.  His dedication to detail and his ability to continually enhance his skills has to be applauded.”

Commenting on the students’ success, Karen Redhead, Principal and Chief Executive of Derwentside College said: “We are very proud to have enabled all of these talented young people to take up Advanced Engineering Apprenticeships with many of our local employers.  Creating employment and training opportunities is central to our mission, but it is particularly gratifying to see a whole class of students moving into top quality Apprenticeship roles and I’d like to congratulate each and every one of them on their achievements.  Derwentside College is now one of the region’s biggest providers of Apprenticeships, not only in Engineering, but in a wide range of vocational areas.  Employers value our commitment to providing high quality training and assessment to ensure their apprentices succeed and progress within the organisation.”