Bringing Aycliffe Business Park Together | 13
/NEWS
Michael Blades – business development
manager at S W Durham Training
MASTERING
INNOVATION AT
NETPARK
Businesses are being offered the
chance to attend a masterclass in
innovation leadership at the North East
Technology Park (NETPark).
APPRENTICES KEY TO
UNLOCK POTENTIAL
North-East business leaders must invest in the
workforce of tomorrow if they are to future-proof
the region’s economy, according to a 45-year old
regional training provider.
S W Durham Training (SWDT) has warned that
the region’s burgeoning manufacturing and
engineering sectors will stagnate if more is not
done to attract people to pursue career in the
field.
The Newton Aycliffe company, which delivers
apprenticeships and training for clients including
Tata Global Beverages, Tacle Seating and
Nifco UK Ltd, believes that shortage of skilled
people entering the sectors could mean that
manufacturing and engineering in the North-East
could hit a glass ceiling, if apprentices are not
encouraged to sign up to courses.
Michael Blades, business development manager
at SWDT, says: “There is genuine concern,
among those at the heart of the industry in
the area, that the North-East could face a skills
shortage if more is not done to encourage
people to enter the sector.
“The workforce is getting older, organisations
lose skills from the business while requiring
more staff to grow, and suddenly they’re faced
with a shortfall.
“Research shows that, in fact, around 8,500
skilled workers are due to retire by 2016, posing
a considerable threat to our industries, while
it’s estimated that 15,000 current employees
would need to improve their skills to ensure
the North-East can continue to compete as a
world class leader in engineering and advanced
manufacturing.
“National Apprenticeship Week is a welcome
reminder to businesses in all fields, that they
really must embrace apprenticeships as a means
of brining through the leaders of tomorrow.
”
Mr Blades believes that the argument for
apprenticeships is clear, with, what he describes
as