Hertel Valve and Rotating Services (HVRS), which employs 45 staff at near Redcar in the North of England has started speaking with workers and union representatives following a significant downturn in the company’s business. The consultation period which ends on the 31st January 2011 could see  up to 12 workers, including four apprentices out of a job.

It is part of engineering giant Hertel, a global industrial services company with more than 12,000 employees.

The group shut its Hertel Project Services (HPS) operation at Wilton last year with the loss of 15 jobs after it went into administration.

HVRS said the cost-cutting exercise would not affect its Grimsby and Grangemouth sites or operations at Hertel UK Ltd, which employs over 3,000 across the UK.

Ted Jansen, general manager of HVRS, said: “Hertel remains committed to the training and development of people and currently has over 100 apprentices and trainees in the UK.”

HVRS is another victim of the current engineering environment and highlights that even large national firms are susceptible in today’s climate.

Over 100 students from schools across the North East showcased their engineering talents to industry experts during the Young Engineers for Britain Regional Final this week.

With a flood defence for housing, Andrew Dunn from Yarm school earned the title North East Young Engineer for Britain. Andrew will represent the region at the National Young Engineers for Britain final in London.

Organiser Geoff Clack from the EEF said: “Many of the projects demonstrated the ability these your engineers have to recognise the essential role of engineering. “Andrew’s flood defence for housing is a commercial product that provides a solution to a current problem, his ability to recognise a problem and engineer a solution is an essential skill in any engineering company.”

The event celebrates the best engineering work carried out in schools and colleges, strengthens the link between education and industry and encourages engineering project work in schools as pupils develop and engineer a commercial project.

Tony Sarginson, Regional Manager at EEF said “It’s fantastic to see so many young people being so enthusiastic about engineering. You can’t underestimate the impact this experience will have on their development.”

Source: bdaily.info