Liberty begins recruitment drive for reopened Scottish steel plants

The international metals and industrial firm acquired the sites in April from Tata Steel following close work with the Scottish Government, which bought the mills and immediately sold them to Liberty, and other stakeholders.

Liberty said it aims to fill up to 100 posts in the first recruitment phase, with the number growing in the New Year, and that it hopes to re-employ some ex-Tata employees who lost their jobs when the plate plants were mothballed in October 2015. Applications are also being encouraged from those looking to join the steel industry for the first time.

The new management team are working to restart production in mid-September. Once production is re-established, the plants will provide steel plate to industries including ship building, heavy vehicle manufacture, renewable energy, construction and civil engineering, among others.

Liberty will be introducing a range of apprenticeship opportunities, including Modern Apprenticeships in Engineering, Finance and Commercial Planning, a Foundation Apprenticeship and a Graduate Apprenticeship.

The company are working in collaboration with the local Job Centre Plus to manage new applications and offer their support to local businesses that are suffering from the downturn in the oil and gas sectors in the region.

Liberty is also working closely with Scottish Enterprise, who has a long standing relationship with the steel plants.

Economy secretary Keith Brown said: “I am delighted to see these plans for recruitment and the resumption of steel production at Dalzell and Clydebridge, following the concerted efforts of the task force involving unions, local authorities and the Scottish Government. It is testament to the hard work of everyone involved and fantastic news for both the local communities and Scotland’s steel industry.

“It’s particularly encouraging to see Liberty opening up new apprenticeship opportunities and investing in future workers. Apprenticeships offer our young people better career prospects and have a positive impact on the businesses and industry, bringing value to both employers and the economy.”

Jon Bolton, chief executive of Liberty’s new plate division, which encompasses Dalzell and Clydebridge, said: “This moment marks a significant milestone in the process of bringing the steel business in Scotland back to life.

“It is a just reward for the dedication of the skilled workers who had to leave the business and it also presents an opportunity for new employees to join the Liberty family.”