Gestamp might be a world leader in chassis design, but the real secret to its outstanding global achievements lie in its motto – ‘people the architects of our success’.
Alastair Waugh, HR professional and wellbeing lead at the firm, doesn’t just want Gestamp to be “the large building on the side of the road”.
Which is why the Newton Aycliffe site immerses itself in the local community in which it operates, including nurturing the next generation of talent that will keep the company active in the region for many years to come.
Gestamp has been recognised for this commitment to developing successful people from the local area, with an award from the University Technical College (UTC) South Durham.
The company is a founding partner of the college – its neighbour on Aycliffe Business Park – which opened in 2016 for 14 to 19-year-olds who have an interest in science, technology, engineering and maths.
The firm’s plant director also sits on the UTC board, which enables Gestamp to interact at every level of college life, from students to the college principle.
Gestamp received the award for its work supporting students at the college with the development of core skills.
Speaking of the importance of the firm’s partnership with the college, Alastair says: “We have got a huge responsibility because we are on their doorstep and we want to work really closely with them as a partner to them.
“As one of the largest employers in the area, it’s really important to us to support them and to give young people an opportunity to get a flavour of what it’s like in the real world of work.
“It’s important to give as many opportunities to young people and represent ourselves as much as we can, whether it’s on a careers day or helping with projects in various departments, such as with Alice Johnson and Gareth Bone from the research and development team.
“We love working with young people and seeing some of the positive outcomes from it.”
Students from the college often become valued employees at Gestamp, which has an excellent apprenticeship programme to offer promising young people.
The firm’s apprenticeship programme is “one of our real plus points” and Gestamp has got a really good retention rate of apprentices staying within the company for many years.
Gestamp currently has 50 apprentices and many will go on to become mentors to new apprentices, having gone through the process themselves.
“We know how to look after our apprentices,” Alastair says.
“We challenge them and give them good opportunities to learn from experience and be constantly developing.
“The UTC plays an important part in where we get our young talent from.”
According to a report by the Institute of Engineering and Technology, the UK science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) sectors are experiencing a shortage of 173,000 workers, and 49 per cent of engineering businesses are struggling to recruit skilled workers.
Therefore, as the technological world continues to evolve and advance, it is important that engineering businesses encourage STEM learning within schools and engage at an early age to effectively recruit the minds of the young into a future of engineering.
Gestamp is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and its work with the community and the aim to give young people in the local area the chance of a bright future is more important than ever.
“It’s really important to us to be involved in our community – and the earlier we get young people interested in us, the better,” Alastair says.
The firm was recently involved with a STEM (science, technology engineering and maths) day the UTC held for year five and year six pupils at Sugar Hill Primary School in Newton Aycliffe.
Pupils got involved with exciting activities such as how to design a car – and Alastair says it’s work like this that enables the firm to identify talent from an early age.
“As they progress through college, we can invite them for work experience, mould them and monitor them and get them through whatever qualifications they might need as well as giving them valuable experience,” Alastair says.
“It’s great to be able to grow talent from our local area and we have a great opportunity for them to develop their career here with us.”