THE success of an apprenticeship scheme run by the Manchester mill of tissue makers SCA has been applauded by Stretford and Urmston MP Kate Green.

The mill has 25 apprentices – of whom 15 started last year – out of a total workforce of 135 at its Trafford Park Road site.

During a visit to the business, Ms Green got to meet the apprentices and also heard more about the mill’s safety performance of more than seven years, without a single lost time injury accident.

“It was really impressive that SCA puts such a strong emphasis on safety and environmental considerations,” she said.

“And it was good to meet some of the apprentices. It’s obviously a company that believes in investing in its workforce and we’re very lucky to have it in this constituency.”

SCA is a leading global hygiene and forest products company and its Manchester mill is home to the Plenty brand of household towels and Cushelle toilet tissue.

The MP was welcomed to the mill by operations director Jim Lang, himself a former apprentice at the site.

He said: “Our apprenticeship scheme here is very well established and we’re really proud of its success over the years.

“We invited three of our apprentices to give presentations on their work during the visit and it was great for them to be able to share their enthusiasm with our MP.”