New contracts to drive engineering jobs creation in Norfolk

A company has revealed it will recruit people to engineering jobs over the coming months in order to help it deal with the demands of two new contracts that it has recently signed. KLM UK Engineering is aiming to hire around 25 new staff, which it hopes will free up its existing teams to tackle an increasing workload. The Eastern Daily Press has told how the firm, which currently employs 375 workers at its base at Norwich International Airport, is ready to expand. It already has contracts with KLM, KLM Cityhopper and CityJet, but it has now also secured deals with British Airways and Pegasus. This is sure to trigger a surge in the amount of jobs it is handed, so having a team of expert engineers on hand is important. Paul Chun, managing director of KLM UK Engineering, said: "Those that work during the summer maintaining boats and farm machinery may have transferable skills which will be ideal. KLM UK Engineering has a very positive future here in Norwich. "We have had an excellent year, generating a lot of business, and we want people who live nearby to share in our good fortune. In our experience, local people are very loyal and hardworking." Last year, the company had a turnover of £27.5 million, indicating there is plenty of money in its chosen market. Some of the work that needs to be completed this winter includes the removal of seats from aircraft and changes to the panels. Kerry Flower, head of HR at KLM UK Engineering, suggested that getting a foot on the ladder at the organisation could be a starting point to a full-time career. Young engineers may wish to make their first move into the sector by taking on a role at the company this summer. As well as the new intake of engineers, the firm has already announced it is planning to add ten aircraft mechanic apprenticeships to its recruitment plans for the coming months, and these will soon be finalised.