Banbury-based company goes virtual to offer engineering apprenticeships

Banbury-based tools manufacturer Norbar Torque Tools Ltd is hosting a series of virtual careers evenings in February for young people looking to start a career in engineering and manufacturing.

While Covid-19 prevents an in-person event, the company intends to demonstrate the career opportunities available virtually. The open evenings will be taking place on the 9, 10, and 11 February and attendees will be able to books slots between 6pm and 9pm to be able to discuss the structure and job roles virtually with Norbar’s Head of HR, Wanda Stewart-Lee and Rob Alderman from the Engineering Trust. On top of this, video tours of the Norbar manufacturing facilities will be available to get an idea of how an engineering working environment looks and the opportunities this modern manufacturing facility offers successful apprenticeship applicants

With research predicting that UK Youth unemployment figures could reach as high as 17%, training and development for young people across the UK is more critical than ever. The Government has already shown its commitment to improving skills through initiatives such as the Kickstart scheme and Norbar hope to encourage more young people in the Banbury area to consider a career in manufacturing and engineering.

Wanda said: “The pandemic has made the job market a tougher environment than ever for young people. For manufacturers like us, it is extremely important that we do everything we can to equip young people with the skills to progress in their career. Though Covid-19 has made welcoming prospective apprentices into our facilities unfeasible, by taking our open evenings into the digital world we hope to give all of the advice and information to attendees hoping to go into engineering.”