British Steel has announced plans to hire over 180 new employees as it looks to bolster its iron and steel production for the first time since receiving government aid.
The company is seeking to fill 165 positions in Scunthorpe, along with 17 additional roles in Teesside and Skinningrove, which will support production in two of its blast furnaces.
Just weeks after the minister recalled Parliament, he authorized emergency legislation to keep operations running amid worries that Jingye, the British steel owner, was considering shutting down the furnace.
At one point, there were around 2,700 steelworkers at Scunthorpe facing redundancy due to concerns over potential furnace closures, which could halt primary steel production in the UK.
However, British Steel alleviated the unemployment threat following government intervention a fortnight ago.
Jingye has stated that ramping up production at Scunthorpe is a strategy to combat daily losses exceeding £700,000. While Jingye continues to hold ownership, the government can direct its operations.
“We’re excited to share that our efforts are being recognized,” said British Steel’s interim CEO, Allan Bell. “With the backing of the UK government, we’re focused on solidifying our position as a leading manufacturer globally. These roles present exciting opportunities that will help us build a strong future for both our company and the UK economy.”
The government’s involvement has led to new shipments of raw materials to supply the two Scunthorpe furnaces, known as Queen Anne and Queen Beth.
Recently, over 55,000 tonnes of coking coal were received from Bluescope Steels in Australia.
Alun Davies, the steel secretary for a union representing steelworkers, commented on the staffing shortages at Scunthorpe.
“We’ve been saying for a while that more hiring is necessary to manage our workloads and cut down on overtime,” he noted. “It feels like this issue has been overlooked for too long. So, it’s encouraging to see the UK government and management acting promptly to recruit new staff across the board.”
The newly supplied coal is expected to support several months of steel production in Scunthorpe, meaning that “tapping” will not be needed. This refers to the practice of drilling holes in the bottom of a blast furnace to extract molten metal and slag.
Open roles at the company include positions for electrical and mechanical engineers, alongside commercial, legal, professional work, and entry-level shift manufacturers. British Steel also indicates openings in welding, nursing, and customer service. An open recruitment day will be held at the Scunthorpe Conference Center on Saturday, May 17th.
Looking ahead, both the government and the company recognize the need for long-term plans for the site’s future. While the blast furnace will continue to operate in the coming months, it is not expected to remain viable for more than a few years, and a transition to a cleaner electric furnace is anticipated.
