South West Durham sets the pattern for success

摘要

South West Durham Training Ltd in Newton Aycliffe will run the only recognised pattern and model making apprenticeship in the North East of England as the industry looks to attract new recruits to meet a growing order book. There was once a substantial base of patternmakers working in the region's foundries but numbers gradually declined as work moved overseas; as numbers dropped so too did training opportunities with fewer and fewer young people entering the profession. But now, with the recognised problem of an ageing workforce, the industry needs new skills to meet a growing order book and S W Durham Training has stepped in to deliver a vocational training programme geared to the needs of employers that will help to develop the next generation of craftsmen.