NEW recruits have joined a Riding Mill engineering company after it secured £7.5m in new contracts.

Offshore engineering and technology company, Osbit Limited, has increased its staff numbers by 40 per cent.

A total of 16 new engineers and support staff have joined the company since Osbit secured £7.5m in new contracts within three months.

The additional work includes projects in the oil and gas, subsea and offshore wind sectors.

Osbit is set to continue its recruitment drive, offering student placements as part of a graduate recruitment programme. Three undergraduates are currently undertaking six-month placements with the company, with a fourth shortly joining Osbit for a year.

The company now employs over 60 people at its Riding Mill head office and assembly facility at the Port of Blyth.

Brendon Hayward, managing director, said: “Our reputation for delivering innovative offshore engineering with a flexible service is enabling us to secure new work, which, in turn, is generating new employment opportunities.

“As part of the North-East of England’s high-quality energy sector supply we are proud to draw upon the region’s skilled and talented workforce, while also attracting people from outside of the area.

“We have a strong track record in attracting graduate engineers to the business, many of whom have previously completed placements with us, and who can see the exciting career progression we offer at Osbit.”