A WYKE-based chemicals firm has teamed up with a college to find the next generation of employees.

Nufarm and Kirklees College have launched a recruitment drive in the run-up to National Apprenticeship Week, which runs between March 5 and 9.

During the week employers and apprentices across England come together to celebrate the success of Apprenticeships and try to encourage even more people to choose Apprenticeships as a pathway to a great career.

Nufarm are manufacturers and suppliers of agrochemical products with more than 3,500 employees across the world.

The company is aiming to recruit at least five apprentices in control and instrumentation engineering, electrical engineering and process manufacturing (science manufacturing technician).

The roles will be based at the company’s UK base in Wyke, with training at Kirklees College’s specialist engineering and process manufacturing facilities in Huddersfield.

The college is in the Government’s top five in the UK for organisations training more than 1,000 apprentices.

They train approximately 2,000 apprentices over 30 occupational areas with apprentices employed at more than 1,000 companies in Kirklees and beyond.

Mark Davies, Nufarm human resources director, said: “We have a mature workforce so needed a succession plan to bring in the younger generation through Apprenticeships.

“Applicants need to have good grades in maths, English and science but it is also about attitude and behaviours.

“We want young people with an enthusiasm to contribute to the company. Skills we can train, but attitude is inherent.

“We have many staff who started as apprentices who have gone on to do degrees or they’re in management positions.”

Go to kirkleescollege.ac.uk/apprenticeships, call 01484 437070 or email info@kirkleescollege.ac.uk for more information.

Kirklees College will hold open days on Saturday, March 17, between 10.30am and 12.30pm at Dewsbury Centres and Tuesday, March 20, from 5.30pm to 8pm at its Huddersfield Centres.