THREE apprentices from Shildon have taken the top awards at a presentation ceremony celebrating the best training schemes in County Durham.

Dean Plews, Emma Bate and John Aitken are all on apprenticeship programmes funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) County Durham at South West Durham Training, in Newton Aycliffe.

CBI Director General Sir Digby Jones presented the first year Engineering Apprentice of the Year award to Dean, who works for Darchem Engineering.

The Business Services Advanced Apprentice of the Year award went to Emma, from Perry Processing Equipment, and the Engineering Final Year Apprenticeship was awarded to John, of Hydro Polymers.

A further 20 trainees received awards and 67 more received achievement certificates. SW Durham Training was given Centre of Vocational Excellence for Advanced Engineering status by the LSC in 2003, receiving £500,000 over three years to fund capital improvements, staff development and the development of new learning packages tailored to meet employers' needs.

Bob Waller, chief executive of SW Durham Training, said: "Our modern equipment and more than 38 years of experience means we are chosen by some big name companies from across the region to help develop the skills of staff."

Tom Crompton, the LSC's executive director, said: "A lot of funding has been invested in South West Durham Training's Centre of Vocational Excellence and the latest in modern technology and training is making apprenticeships there an exciting and rewarding learning path.