At Sperrin Galvanisers Draperstown, we don’t just invest in steel – we invest in people. That’s why we’re proud to announce that two of our team members, Johnathan Irwin and Dariusz Uzieblo, have officially started the NVQ Level 2 Apprenticeship in Industrial Coatings. This groundbreaking initiative marks a major milestone for the galvanising industry in the UK and Ireland.
Developed in partnership with South West College and the Sector Partnership Group, this apprenticeship is the first of its kind to directly address the qualification needs within our sector. In fact, Sperrin is currently the only galvanising plant in the UK and Ireland to roll out this tailored programme—an achievement we’re incredibly proud of.
While several companies across the industrial coatings sector have unfortunately pulled out of the pilot, we’ve stayed the course. Why? Because we believe in developing our people, strengthening our expertise, and shaping the future of our industry – together.
Building Skills for the Future of Galvanising
Last week, Colin from SWC visited our Draperstown facility to assess Johnathan and Dariusz as they begin their 6-month learning journey. It was also a great opportunity for knowledge-sharing, with Colin gaining deeper insight into hot dip galvanising as part of the exchange.
This apprenticeship is more than just a course—it’s part of a wider vision. We’ve already committed to putting forward more team members in the next session and are engaging with local schools to promote industrial careers in galvanising and coatings.
By developing in-house talent and supporting industry-specific qualifications, we’re building a stronger, more skilled future for our team—and the sector as a whole.
We wish Johnathan and Dariusz the best of luck on their journey. When completed, they’ll become the first officially qualified galvanising professionals in this field across the UK and Ireland