BAE SYSTEMS TRAINEES THROUGH TO SHIPWELD FINAL 

Two contenders for the prestigious ShipWeld competition, sponsored by ESAB Group (UK) Ltd, have won through from the inter-yard heat held at the premises of BAE Systems Surface Ships in Govan.

A dozen of the defence industry giant's apprentice welders took part in the event  with Richard Stewart being adjudged the winner, while David Crawford was runner up in a close fought competition.

The winner of the inter-yard heat in Glasgow was presented with an Eyetech II Reactive Welding Helmet by ESAB's UK Sales Manager, Richard Craig, together with the company's Publicity Manager, Cheron Robinson. The runner-up received an OrigoTech welding screen.

The Training Co-ordinator, for BAE Systems in Govan, Mr Scott Graham, comments: "We have 34 trainee welders in total across the three years that the apprenticeships run, but it is the first year entrants who take part in ShipWeld. We see it as an important part of their progress and it is clear how enthusiastic they are when they are informed about the chance to take part. It gives them a real drive."The task set for the trainees for the first round here in our Govan yard is to complete a "cruciform" or T-piece with both horizontal and vertical butt welds. Everyone gets the chance to enter and then we have the engineers mark the test pieces for precision and quality etc."