INDEPENDENT businesses from across the North-East will have the chance to speak to industry experts about the importance of apprenticeships at a free forum next week.

South West Durham Training (SWDT) in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, will play host to the North-East Apprenticeship Forum from 7:30am until 2pm on Wednesday, March 05.

The aim is to give businesses in the area an opportunity to speak to training providers who can offer Government funded training for vocational apprenticeships.

It will see SWDT, a 46-year-old company that delivers engineering and manufacturing training support, drive home the value of apprenticeships at its facility on Durham Way South, alongside other training providers covering sectors such as hospitality and catering, ICT, business administration, customer service, hairdressing, cleaning and support, motor vehicle and construction.

Trevor Alley, chief executive of SWDT, said: “We aim to provide business leaders in all fields the opportunity to see and hear how some of the region’s key companies are embracing apprenticeships and the message we need to get out to employers is that the apprenticeship route is not a risky one, but one that will produce a highly capable member of staff, with exactly the right skills and experience for their business.”

The forum will also offer schools and those interested in becoming an apprentice the chance to view the courses on offer in the region, browse vacancies and speak to training providers between 10am and noon.