WHILE the Government is aiming to create three million new apprenticeships nationwide, businesses in Tynedale are way ahead of the game.

The district is flourishing with employment opportunities for young people looking to forge a career in whatever profession they choose, with local businesses rewarded for developing the workers of the future.

With more than 2.2m apprenticeships created in the UK since 2010, the Government committed over a year ago to build on the growth by creating three million more by 2020.

Public bodies, such as schools, hospitals, prisons and police forces, were particularly targeted to help towards the goal.

Tynedale’s two largest employers, Egger, in Hexham, and SCA Hygiene, in Prudhoe, have long banged the drum for developing young workers, with apprenticeship schemes running for 10 years or more.

At Egger’s chipboard factory there are ample opportunities for young people to work within seven schemes on the programme, and a total of 85 apprentices have completed it and gone on to work for the company full-time.

The successful scheme is ongoing and Egger was this month named the best firm for implementing apprenticeship schemes as an integral part of developing its workforce at the North-East Business Awards.

Egger’s production and technical director Tobias Zimmermann said: “This award underlines the hard work and commitment of everyone at Egger involved in developing and supporting our apprentices.

“We are constantly developing our apprenticeship scheme for the business and most recently have introduced a purchasing apprenticeship scheme.”

It is a similar story down the Tyne at Prudhoe, with 120 apprentices coming through the ranks at SCA over the past 15 years.

Currently, the firm has 32 youngsters training on its award-winning apprenticeship scheme, with a further 12 new recruits starting in September.

Apprentice team leader Ian Callendar, who has worked at SCA for 38 years, said the company firmly believed it was important to give young people a much-needed step onto the career ladder.

He said: “We know there’s a skills shortage in the North-East manufacturing sector, and we’re continually working to do something to help combat it.

“The best way of filling the gap is to train young people. SCA Hygiene has always been a company about supporting young people into employment, and we’ve been taking apprentices on for years.

“Our apprenticeship programme ensures they gain industry-recognised qualifications along with support in developing important ‘softer’ skills, like communication and leadership. We like to think of it as skills for life.”

It is not just the larger companies in the district providing employment opportunities, with a whole host of professions encouraging young people to train and learn on the job simultaneously.

One such company is BW Electrical Solutions, based in Hexham’s Bridge End Industrial Estate, which takes on at least one apprentice a year.

A few years back, the company took on three teenagers, such was the strength of all the candidates.

The electricians currently have three people on the scheme – all at different stages in the four-year process.

One of its directors, Peter Watt, said: “We like to promote opportunities to home-grown youngsters, and we know the capabilities of local people.

“They are very loyal and trustworthy and with them coming through, they feel part of the business and perhaps try that bit harder for you.”

There is further good news for the young people of Tynedale as Northumberland County Council announced it is set to launch a recruitment drive for 160 apprentices this month.

As part of its Apprenticeship Programme, it will add to the 1,000 apprentices taken on over the past five years, at a projected cost of £1.75m.

The young people will be supported by apprenticeship co-ordinators, who will provide mentoring and advice to assist them through the learning process.