HITACHI LAUNCH RECRUITMENT DRIVE – 200 JOBS UP FOR GRABS

By Martin Walker

Hitachi Rail Europe will this week launch its recruitment drive for prospective employees across a range of roles at its £82m train-building factory in Newton Aycliffe.

Two recruitment events will be held at the Xcel Centre on Aycliffe Business Park, on Thursday (5th February) and Saturday (7th February).

There will be approximately 200 roles available in 2015 across Hitachi Rail Europe’s engineering, manufacturing, technical and quality assurance teams, in addition to vacancies in facilities management, human resources, communications, finance and procurement.

Hitachi’s state-of-the-art factory is due to start making trains for the Great Western and East Coast lines from spring 2016, employing at least 730 workers.

A further 400+ posts are expected to be filled in 2016.

Visitors to this week’s recruitment events will be able to talk to representatives from the teams above and find out more about the roles on offer.

Hitachi HR Manager Julia Potts said: “The whole team at Hitachi Rail Europe here in Newton Aycliffe is looking forward to the Recruitment Events and the chance to talk to potential candidates.

“If you are interested in working with us, please register to come along and see us. We would really like to find out more about you and the kind of skills you can bring to our company.

“If you cannot make it on the day, please don’t worry that this would put you at a disadvantage. You are welcome to register on our recruitment portal for all upcoming vacancies.”

A total of 866 Class 800/801 train carriages will be built at the Aycliffe site, destined to run on the East Coast Main Line from 2018 (and the Great Western Main Line from 2017).

The trains have been ordered by the Department of Transport for its Intercity Express Programme (IEP), which will see Agility Trains (a consortium of Hitachi and John Laing) finance, deliver and subsequently maintain the trains for 27.5 years.

Hitachi Rail Europe is also the preferred supplier of trains to Abellio’s ScotRail programme. The 70 AT200 commuter trains (46 three -car trains and 24 four-car trains) will be built at Aycliffe.

A Hitachi statement said: “This is a time of unprecedented growth for the company.

“As an employer, Hitachi Rail Europe is therefore looking for team players who will embrace the organisation’s vision of being a highly respected train manufacturer, whose impact is felt across the UK, European and global rail industry.

“Hitachi Rail Europe is looking for candidates with the right attitude and values; professional experience does not need to be drawn from the rail sector.

Being a strong community partner is important to Hitachi Rail Europe and employees are actively encouraged to volunteer for community projects in and around the Newton Aycliffe area.

“The company’s passion for social innovation will see its future employees play a key role as it creates a new generation of trains which change peoples’ lives through innovative, safe and comfortable rail travel.”

Prospective employees can register for this week’s events by clicking here.