More than 50 jobs are up for grabs at a flagship trailer company that\u2019s running a paid internship scheme over the summer.<\/p>\n
The positive employment news was revealed during a visit to Ifor Wiliams Trailers by Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS who described the company as a role model for other Welsh businesses.<\/p>\n
Up to 30 candidates chosen to take part in the Summer Programme at the family-owned firm \u2013 which has five sites in Deeside and Denbighshire \u2013 will be paid \u00a3380 a week.<\/p>\n
According to the company, the eight to 12-week programme would be ideal for students, graduates and people looking for work experience, either on the production line or in office based roles.<\/p>\n
Participants who achieve 100 per cent attendance and work to a high standard throughout the programme will receive a \u00a3250 bonus.<\/p>\n
Mr ap Iorwerth was accompanied on the tour of the company\u2019s Sandycroft factory, which makes livestock trailers, by Plaid\u2019s North Wales MS, Llyr Gruffydd.<\/p>\n
During the visit, they met several graduates of previous Summer Programmes who have since secured permanent jobs with the company.<\/p>\n
They also heard the company is looking to recruit between 50 and 60 people for a variety of jobs across its five sites as a result of its bulging order book.<\/p>\n
The factories manufacture and supply a wide range of trailers and genuine parts to a network of 50 UK outlets and more than 60 international distributors as far afield as Australia and New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Mr ap Iorwerth said: \u201cIt\u2019s always a company I\u2019ve admired because it\u2019s grown so much over the years but I have to say that coming here today I have learned more about them, how they\u2019ve developed and their ambition to continue growing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I\u2019ve discovered today is that it is an even more important company than I realised. The company\u2019s story has a real wow factor about it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s competing on the highest level right across the world and it\u2019s recognised as a best-in-class brand while their original values remain as important as ever, their Welsh roots, their support for local communities while making these incredible products, creating prosperity in the Welsh economy at the same time.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is an example of a company that\u2019s providing career opportunities for young people, some of whom we\u2019ve met today.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s one of our most famous companies and it\u2019s the type of company we want to see more of in Wales.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was a point echoed by Mr Gruffydd who added: \u201cIt\u2019s our ambition as a party to encourage indigenous companies to grow and Ifor Williams Trailers is a perfect example of the type of economy we want to develop, where Welsh companies expand while they continue to have deep roots here.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are flying the flag for Wales right across the world and it was an eye-opener to learn they have\u00a0 a network of around 60 international distributors.<\/p>\n
\u201cWherever they go, they are linked to Wales, whether that\u2019s through their products or Wrexham football club which they sponsor.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the same time, they\u2019re providing young people\u00a0 opportunities in terms of training and careers which\u00a0 are second to none and creating prosperity in the communities in which they are based.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Summer Programme is a great way of attracting young people who might not otherwise realise career opportunities like this existed.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a story of success for both the company and the employees who\u2019ve made the most of the opportunities they\u2019ve been given.\u201d<\/p>\n
Among the Summer Programme graduates the pair met was Bedwyr Pritchard, 17, who operates a robot welder at their Ty\u2019n Llidiart factory in Corwen.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI was really pleased that I was accepted to take part in the Summer Programme and I learned a lot.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was great and I\u00a0 was very happy when I was offered a job at the end of it. I\u2019m really enjoying my job. Everybody there is nice and very kind. I live across the road to the factory so I can even go home for dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n
Design engineer Joe Smith, 21, from Chester, also landed a permanent job after taking part in the Summer Progamme while he was studying automotive engineering at Bristol University.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cDuring the Summer Programme I was working making axles and once we\u2019d made enough axles for the day I would work on the production line assembling the trailers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fact that I took part in the programme has definitely helped me in what I\u2019m doing now, knowing how things are put together on the production line.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am really enjoying it and I think I have integrated well, I get along with everybody here. It\u2019s interesting work and there\u2019s a good career path for me here.\u00a0 They do look after you.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Ifor Williams Trailers managing director, John Williams, he was delighted to host the visit by Mr ap Iorwerth and Mr Gruffydd.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI am grateful to them for taking time out of their busy schedules to come on the visit to find out more about the company.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey were particularly interested to hear about our Summer Programme that\u2019s been designed to bring young people into the business.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe scheme is an opportunity to give them a great career path working for a successful indigenous Welsh company.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re looking for suitable candidates who have a great work ethic and a real desire to learn.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving the right attitude is the most important thing because we train people to make sure they have the right skills.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anybody wanting to take part in the Summer Programme or apply for a permanent job should call the company\u2019s recruitment team on 01490 412626, or email <\/strong>applications@iwt.co.uk<\/strong><\/a> or apply via the Indeed website. <\/strong><\/p>\n