PRUDHOE manufacturer SCA has employed its first business administration apprentice.

School leaver, Sean Burton, has recently joined the ranks at the SCA Prudhoe Mill.

With A-levels in sciences and English, Sean will work in the site administration office for the next two years to acquire an NVQ Level 3 qualification.

Sean, from Low Fell, said: “I already knew a bit about SCA when I spotted the apprentice vacancy, having previously spent a week there on work experience, and I’m really looking forward to what will be a challenging and varied role.”

Tutors from Gateshead College, who recently took over responsibility for training the mill’s apprentices, will supervise Sean during his time at the mill.

He will also be given on-site training by his new manager, Cath Frost.

She said: “We have an award-winning technical apprenticeship programme at the mill that has provided more than 100 young people with paid education and training in operational and technical roles since its launch in 2004 – with most of them now in full-time jobs within SCA.

“Last year the company was named ‘large employer of the year’ at the North-East National Apprenticeship Awards and a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer in the UK.

“We also recently secured £96,000 from the Northumberland Business Growth Programme to help fund ten manufacturing apprentices, but Sean is our first business administration apprentice in what we hope will become a successful extension to our apprenticeship scheme.”