350 apply for 50 job vacancies at Burnley engineeriung firm

BCW Engineering was looking to fill 50 new jobs immediately after it won a £4m. contract to produce turbo charger components for a top automotive company.

The Heasandford Industrial Estate-based firm held a recruitment open day and was impressed by the calibre of skilled labour available in Burnley.

Bosses at BCW believe this pool of highly-qualified workers will enable them to move into new markets in the rail sector as well as expand the company’s automotive and aerospace arms.

Hopes are to double the workforce to 300 over the next five years and new contracts coming in now mean the company may have to open its fourth manufacturing base in the town.

Trevor Cassie, operational director at BCW, said: “Someone told me there was no skills left in Burnley, but they must have been lying. We had a fantastic turnout at the open day – more than 200 people came through the doors and we have had 350 job applications in total.

“We were taken aback by the amount of skilled people in Burnley and what grade they were at. Many were of a very high calibre and the ambition of people here is incredible. There are a lot of hungry, young and dynamic people in the town.

“It has changed my view about the structure of the company. It has really made us think. We want to mould our business around the people.”

Although the first wave of 50 jobs has almost been filled, many of the applications and candidates will be considered for the future as the company aims to establish itself as a £25m. business.