A major Northumberland employer has launched a recruitment drive to fill 50 new jobs, following a series of significant investments.
Sales of toilet rolls and other tissue products made at Essity Prudhoe Mill have soared during the Covid 19 pandemic, which the firm says follows a growing awareness of the need for good hygiene products and practices.
The rise in sales comes in tandem with investment into the company, which in turn will now lead to job creation.
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Essity HR manager Clare Stewart said: “We’ve been incredibly busy for the last 18 months. Thanks to our efforts in keeping the site Covid-secure, and the commitment of our employees in following the guidelines, production has been unaffected.
“Coupled with growing demand for our products, from supermarkets and other customers including the NHS, are significant financial investments made by the company. The 50 vacancies for engineers, apprentices, graduates and operators will help us to future-proof the site and avoid the potential skills shortages facing many North East manufacturers.”
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Essity is exploring options for an on-site apprentice and training academy, and is working with local schools including SEN schools to support more diversity and inclusion. Attracting more young girls and women into engineering is a challenge also being tackled.
Current employees and apprentices manned a stand at a Hexham fair in Hexham on October 22.
The event – organised by local MP Guy Opperman – was sponsored by Essity as part of its new recruitment campaign.
Mr Opperman said: “I was delighted Essity agreed to sponsor this popular event. Essity is a global company making some of the UK’s best-known tissue products – as well as vital paper products for the NHS – throughout the pandemic. It has a wide range of jobs available, and I am delighted they sponsored and attended this year’s jobs fair.”
