APPRENTICES working in the chemical industry have been told to keep training - they have a bright future ahead of them.
The words of encouragement came from Stan Higgins, chief executive of the North East Process Industries Cluster (Nepic), which represents more than 200 chemical and pharmaceutical companies in the region.
He believes the region's process industry sector will be worth between £9bn and £13bn in the next five to ten years.
Speaking to young apprentices at the TTE training centre, at South Bank, near Middlesbrough, he said: "There are already investment projects under way that will deliver this level of growth. Such expansion requires up to 20,000 vocational and graduate scientists and engineers to join the sector.
"Much of this growth is taking place on Teesside, and more of our local young people need to be made aware of these highly-paid and exciting career opportunities. We are working closely with TTE to encourage more young people - and also adults - to consider a career move into our industry.''
Former TTE apprentice Dave Beattie, who is now a manager with a chemicals company, said: "I am sure this group of young people will become real assets to their future employers."
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