Casting a future for Teesside teenagers
The King’s Award-winning Teesside business Paralloy has provided 50 local teenagers with their first insight into the world of work.
The 14 and 15-year-olds spent a day at the stainless steel specialist’s foundry in Billingham, learning about the company and creating their own special metal plaque.
The visit was the final stage of a project developed by Paralloy and the Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust (NPCAT) – which has 38 schools across Teesside, North Yorkshire and the City of York including St Peter’s Catholic College and Trinity Catholic College in Middlesbrough, Sacred Heart Catholic Secondary School in Redcar and St Patrick’s Catholic College in Thornaby, SFX Richmond and All Saints in York
As well as hands-on work experience the students have taken part in CV workshops and mock interviews.
“This was probably the first time the students have stepped into a work environment,” said the Trust’s Careers Lead Lisa Hegarty, who has developed a programme called Futureproof to prepare its young people for the transition from education to employment.
“They found out what a foundry does. The different jobs there and what qualifications they might need,” explained Lisa. “It’s not just about going down the academic route, because some of our students might not want that. Everybody learns differently.”
The teenagers heard from Michael Dolan, who grew up in Grangetown, joined Paralloy in 1998 as an apprentice in the accounts department and is now the Chief Financial Officer.
He urged them to make the most from their potential. “The opportunity for career development should not be limited to just college and then university. We offer a very strong apprenticeship route,” said Michael.
“You can do really well and get on in life by going into an apprenticeship where you can learn the skills of work as well as the academic skills alongside your workplace.”
He added: “Apprenticeships are becoming more and more important to businesses like Paralloy, bringing in new and young people to help it to grow.
Although it has been in business for nearly 60 years, Paralloy has been transformed since a management buyout in 2020.
Revenue has increased three-fold, the workforce has more than doubled to around 530 – including 15 apprentices – and the company has spent millions of pounds on new equipment, infrastructure and Research and Development.
Earlier this month it bought a major French company and its UK subsidiary, adding another 500 employees, and in the week of the NPCAT visits Paralloy’s CEO Robert McGowan was receiving the King’s Award for Industry at Windsor Castle.
Ian Grimes, Paralloy’s HR Manager, said: “As a growing business are thoughts are on the future and where we will find the next generation of foundry operatives and engineers.
“Working with schools and colleges is one of the ways we can tap into that potential and at the same time make young people aware of the opportunities we can provide, such as our award-winning apprenticeship programme.”
In September Paralloy will be offering scholarships to two Middlesbrough College students and it is also has plans to open its own training centre.