A TRAINING charity is throwing open its doors to encourage companies to prepare for the upturn by taking on apprentices.

Middlesbrough’s TTE Technical Training Group launched its Apprentices For the Upturn campaign in November with the aim of encouraging companies to sign up apprentices, many of who have lost support due to the downturn in the chemical, steel-making and other industries in the region.

As part of the ongoing campaign, the charity is offering employers across the region the chance to visit its workshops during National Apprenticeship Week, which begins on February 1.

Company representatives can visit TTE’s training facilities, in South Bank, near Middlesbrough.

They can tour the workshops, chat to apprentices, discuss programme modules, explore training opportunities, and find out how TTE, the Government and the National Apprenticeship Service provide support to companies.

Keith Hunter, TTE managing director, said: “TTE wants to highlight the advantages of employing and supporting apprentices and demonstrate the strengths of TTE training programmes.”

Anyone interested in making an appointment to visit the workshops during National Apprenticeship Week, from February 1 to 5, is asked to call Graham Plant on 01642-770301.