The Youth Movement

We find out more about how a well-known industry name is putting youth at the heart of its future.

Tackling the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills gap is a continuing concern for the UK’s electrical manufacturing industry. Recent reports suggest 700,000 STEM specialists will be needed to meet employer demand by 2024.

Companies need to think creatively to attract and recruit the staff they so badly need – no mean feat with demand so high.

One of the industry’s leading lights thinks it’s found the solution, however. County Durham-based Seaward is putting young people at the centre of its vision for the future.

The electrical testing experts, having recently announced a £500,000 investment as part of a scheme to revamp the company’s Peterlee manufacturing base, believes apprentices and fresh talent are the key to its ongoing success – and is committed to recruiting and retaining them.

Sporting chance

Now going for gold at Seaward is former competitive rower Piotr Golawski, a Junior Software Engineer, who works at the company three days a week while studying for a degree in Computer Science at Newcastle University. The 20-year-old has already packed plenty into his short life having represented England in rowing.

“My previous job was servicing rowing machines for the GB Olympic team and some of best clubs in the country, and now here I am at Seaward developing my first mobile app,” he says.

“Seaward initially wanted a full-time employee, but after meeting me and learning about the independent projects I’ve been doing on top of my university work, and how I have pushed myself to learn new languages and skills, the company offered me the role and also agreed to support me throughout my degree.

“Now I go into work, have a catch up with the team and know what’s in store for the rest of the day – the fact I’m trusted to do that is great.”

He adds: “I wanted to be independent and support myself through university so being able to do that and gain valuable experience to give me an advantage over my peers is brilliant.

“It’s great to get real experience of working on professional software, and supporting the theory I learn at university, and I’m really enjoying working with electronics and real time inputs. The future of computer science and electronics – augmented reality and artificial intelligence – is a really interesting to me.

“Outside of work I’ve started to explore 3D modelling and supporting start-ups with their apps and websites voluntarily to prepare for the rest of my career. I’m encouraged to learn and develop new skills to make my own software, and that’s what makes the job so exciting.”

With just 112,000 STEM apprenticeships starting in 2016/17 and only 24% of university leavers working in STEM occupations six months after graduating, it’s essential that companies prioritise recruitment if they’re to compete in the shrinking talent pool

Progression path

Brett Spence, aged 17, is also now settling into his role as a Quality and Process Engineering Apprentice.

He explains: “I’ve always been interested in a career in engineering and when I visited Seaward and heard about the plans the team has for the future of the business I was convinced it was the best place for me.

“There is so much scope for progression and I can see first-hand the direction the company is going in and how my department has an impact.”

Brett’s wide-ranging role involves all aspects of engineering – from product assembly processes to the quality of the finished products received by the end customer – and everything in between.

He continues: “I love that no two days are the same. One day I could be helping set up a production line for a new product and the next I could be carrying out COSHH assessments or working on standard operating procedures.

“The support and encouragement has been fantastic – I’m given so many opportunities to work on different things and build my skills.”

Opportunities aplenty

Seaward offers apprenticeships in a range of departments including engineering, production, marketing and finance.

Tom Talbot, HR & Customer Experience Director at Seaward, said: “We are committed to recruiting and building the skills of our young people.

“The electrical testing industry is full of opportunities to build life-long careers and it’s fantastic to see younger people coming in with fresh ideas and growing into indispensable members of our team.

“Continuous professional development is a huge focus for us and there is always scope to progress for those who want to.”

For Brett, his future at Seaward is bright: “I can’t wait to see what the future brings – it’s a really exciting time to be in the industry.

“I’m in the early stages of my career but my confidence is growing all the time and I can already see how many doors will be opened to me as I progress.”