TMD Friction announces plans to recruit more apprentices

To mark National Apprenticeship Week, global automotive manufacturer TMD Friction has announced plans to recruit even more apprentices.

Currently the Hartlepool-based company employs 18 apprentices in a range of disciplines across the business, while a further 12 full time staff are completely apprenticeship qualifications to support their development within the business.

And as part of its commitment to investing in the next generation of talent, TMD has confirmed it will be looking to attract at least five new apprentices into the business during 2022.

Dan Matthews, Learning and Development Manager at TMD Friction, said: “We know attracting the best fresh talent is a key part of our succession planning agenda and continued growth.

“That’s why this year we’ll be looking at recruiting an additional five apprentices, taking the total employed across the business to 23.

“Our current apprentices are employed in a range of areas, from engineering, electrical and maintenance to finance, HR and IT and each in their own way is proving to be a real asset to the business.

“For us, it’s not just about attracting apprentices, it’s about supporting them through their learning and development so at the end of their qualification, they are ideally placed to secure permanent employment with us.”

One such success story for TMD Friction is Stuart Gallagher.

Stuart joined the business four and a half years ago and after completing a Level 3 Extended Diploma in IT and a Level 3 apprenticeship in IT, he was promoted into the role of IT department support technician, with responsibility for TMD Friction’s IT capabilities across the business.

He said: “TMD Friction is a great place to work and really are committed to investing in their staff and giving people with the right attitude and work ethic the opportunity to move up the career ladder. Hopefully this position will set me up for a project engineer or team leader role at TMD Friction. That’s certainly my aim.”

TMD Friction is a global manufacturer of brake pads, with the Hartlepool plant producing pads for 95 per cent of the models for Europe’s aftermarket, including emergency services vehicles and many of the major distribution small trucks and vans.

TMD Friction, which has its only UK production facility in Hartlepool, has been making parts for the passenger car aftermarket since 1974 and now employs 508 people at its Hartlepool factory.

National Apprentice Week started on Monday, February 7, and runs until Sunday, February 13, and is all about showcasing the importance of apprenticeships to businesses and celebrating those people who are actively working towards qualifications.