Apprentices sought for yards in Arnish and Methil

The operator of fabrication yards in Lewis and Fife has sought to employ 35 apprentices.

Spanish shipbuilding firm Navantia completed a deal to take over Arnish, near Stornoway, and Methil last year after the previous owner Harland & Wolff went into administration.

The firm said it was focused on growing its work in the energy sector, including gas, nuclear and renewables.

Navantia UK plans to hire 15 apprentices at Arnish and 20 at Methil.

The apprenticeship scheme has been launched to support Navantia UK's growth in shipbuilding and the offshore energy industry.

Apprentices will be offered the opportunity to specialise in electrical engineering, fabrication and welding.

Albert Allan, general manager at Arnish, said: "From an apprenticeship point of view it's fantastic to get that experience so early on in their career."

Arnish was founded in 1974 with backing from Norwegian company Olsen's.

The site has recently been working to manufacture subsea structures for use in Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean.