A TEESSIDE engineering company is bucking the national trend by seeking additional apprentices to expand its workforce by almost ten per cent.

Arrk Styles RPD specialises in rapid product development and is working with South West Durham Training (SWDT) to take on six model/pattern and toolmaking apprentices as part of this year's intake, boosting its workforce to a total of 79.

The Thornaby-based firm is experiencing strong growth and expects to double its rapid product development activity in the next five to ten years. It also wants a larger share of the European plastics market, valued at £45bn a year.

Arrk Styles RPD has helped companies such as Ford, Nissan, IBM, Hewlett-Packard and Hoover develop new products in exceptionally short time-scales.

"Our desire to build on our already considerable skills base not only reflects the support and confidence of our parent company, Arrk, but it also endorses how our European lead in product time-to-market is increasingly being recognisd by a global customer base."

Working closely with the Tees Valley Enterprise Council and SWDT, the apprentices will undergo a traditional three and four-year apprenticeships.