THE company behind a £3.2bn polyhalite project has announced its bid to bridge the skills gap by creating 50 new apprentice roles for the next generation of engineers.

Sirius Minerals is launching its apprenticeship scheme to offer long-term opportunities for young people in the North-East, with applications open to select the first ten trainees set to start in September 2019.

The new engineers will learn under the firm operating its state-of-the-art Woodsmith Mine, near Whitby, North Yorkshire, targeting the extraction of polyhalite, a multi-nutrient fertilizer.

With first production from Woodsmith Mine due to start in 2021, the programme will add to the company’s North-East-based workforce, which is expected to reach 1,000 jobs at full production.

Gareth Edmunds, external affairs director at Sirius Minerals Plc, said: “We’re delighted to be announcing this programme and delivering on our commitments to provide 50 apprenticeships in this phase.

“This builds on the extensive engagement we already do with schools and colleges to help encourage young people into careers focused on science, technology, engineering or maths.”

The four-year apprenticeship to train Advanced Engineering Technicians will be run in partnership with Tees Valley training provider, the TTE Technical Training Group.

It will focus on developing a sound knowledge of electrical, mechanical and instrumentation engineering principles and putting these into practice.

The first two years will be delivered both at the Woodsmith Mine site offices in Whitby, and the TTE facility in Middlesbrough. Transport will be provided to both sites.

Apprentices will continue the remaining two years of their training with Sirius Minerals in preparation for long-term engineering technician roles in installation and maintenance.

Informal information sessions will be held in Whitby and Middlesbrough over the coming weeks, taking place between 6pm and 7.30pm in Whitby on Monday, December 10, in the Northern Lights Suite, Whitby Pavilion, West Cliff.

A further session will be held in Middlesbrough from 6pm to 7.30pm on Thursday, December 13, at TTE, Edison House, Middlesbrough Road East, South Bank.

The programme is open for applications until April 2019, when successful candidates will be invited for a skills assessment and interview.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “With these apprenticeships, it is giving our young people the expertise they need to get on in long-term, skilled roles. That Sirius is working with such a brilliant company like TTE to provide the training is just the icing on the cake.”