ATLAS Elektronik UK (AEUK) has launched a new apprenticeship scheme to find Dorset’s next batch of budding workers.

The firm unveiled the scheme at Weymouth College at the start of the month during National Apprenticeship Week, which was a nationwide campaign that encourages employers to employ apprentices.

It‘s the first time AEUK has offered such a scheme to apprenticeships, and follows on from the company’s huge recrutiment drive in November last year.

Six new apprentices will be taken on by the firm in the engineering, accountacy and business administration departments.

Russell Warren, Director of Human Resources at AEUK, said the reason behind the launch of the new scheme was due to the firm’s ongoing success and expansion in recent years.

Mr Warren said: “We couldn‘t be more proud of being able to offer apprenticeships to well deserving young people.

“We work alongside a number of local schools in order to try to encourage young people to consider careers such as Engineering, Accountancy and Business Administration and to increase their awareness of the exciting careers and opportunities that exist on their doorstep.

“Earlier this year we hosted the launch of the UK Engineering Report 2015 which looked at the issue of declining numbers in young people taking up engineering as a career.

“We feel by offering such a scheme that we are helping this initiative and feel that 2015 is the perfect year to do this in light of the report’s findings.“

The new scheme follows on the back of the firm launching its engineering report for 2015 earlier this year.

MP for South Dorset Richard Drax has also pledged his support for the new apprenticeship scheme, and attended the Apprenticeship Fair at Weymouth College at the start of March.

Mr Drax said: "I am delighted that Atlas Elektronik UK has announced six new apprenticeship places.

“This, during National Apprenticeships’ Week, is a most positive message and one which makes clear that that there’s a wealth of talent and opportunity in Dorset.

“There are many companies that are launching apprenticeship schemes for the first time, offering people another choice other than the purely academic route.

“I attended the launch of the UK Engineering Report 2015 and its findings revealed a huge shortfall in people with an engineering discipline. Companies launching these schemes are helping to redress the balance and are to be commended."