CAMMELL Laird have taken on 20 new apprentices as part of its plans 'to grow a new workforce for the future'.

Among those launching their careers at the Birkenhead shipyard after a rigorous recruitment process are seven welders, five mechanical fitters, five platers and three pipe fitters.

The firm's chief operating officer Tony Graham said the new starters take the total number of apprentices recruited into the business to 270 since 2008.

The aim to take on at least 20 more trainees every year.

Mr Graham - who addressed the apprentices during a presentation at the yard today - told the Globe: "We've had a gap in our apprenticeship scheme and there was a very conscious decision, this year, to take on 20.

"We've got a growing order book and I need to grow a new workforce for the future.

"The apprentices that we are taking on will have a group of skillsets that are absolutely vital for the future.

"We're going to be building submarines, ships, repairing government ships and commercial ships and we need a workforce that's ready for that future.

"By investing in them now we get the right skill levels and the right attitudes.

"We just hope the new apprentices seize the opportunities before them."

The apprentices were selected from around 100 applicants and went through a rigorous process involving teamwork activities, on-site skill test and multiple interviews.

They also met members of production teams across the yard.

Mr Graham continued: "We’re very pleased with the quality of this year’s intake.

“I was really proud to watch them go through the interview process.”

To date the company has invested more than £18million in its apprentice programme making it one of the most significant in the UK maritime industry and Northern Powerhouse region.

The latest in-take will take the investment in staff to £19million.

Cammell Laird is urging local families, schools and colleges to recognise the opportunities in an apprenticeship and in maritime engineering.

Looking to the future Mr Graham continued: “There is a national skills shortage in shipbuilding at the moment.

“Shipbuilding is on its way back.

“We will train them and ensure they have worldclass skills.

“They are joining Cammell Laird at a momentus time with a huge future.

“Once you’ve completed an apprenticeship at Cammell Laird it gives you three things.

“The first is that you will always have work in your life, because those skills are scarce in the UK economy.

“Secondly, the Cammell Laird brand gives you a reputation for being the best.

“Third, it gives you a sense of family. There’s no ceiling at Cammell Laird “Most of the senior management are exCammell Laird apprentices. So you can come up through the ranks.”

Among the new apprentices is welder Alex Irwin, 18, from Claughton.

He told the Globe: “A lot of people applied and the last 20, hopefully the best 20, got the job. My grandad was a welder and I wanted to take it on an carry on in the family.”