ON September 4, 1967, 50 years ago this week, South West Durham Training opened its door to engineering apprentices.

There were 56 of us apprentices, sponsored by 24 companies, working to the new Engineering Industrial Training Board (EITB) skill training standards.

Since then, more than 6,000 engineering apprentices have passed through the centre, plus it has offered skill training for adults, business services apprentices and commercial courses.

These apprentices moved on to be skilled craftsmen, technicians and managers in companies worldwide, for example Mike Matthews MBE, European Operations Officer and Managing Director of Nifco, and Mike McCabe, retired plant manager of Cummins. Some have moved on to other job roles, for example comedian Vic Reeves and the Chief Executive Officer of Gatwick Airport, Stewart Wingate.

I would like to congratulate South West Durham Training on 50 years of service to apprentices and companies and pass on best wishes to all the hard working staff, past and present and to all the learners over the 50 years who have developed their skills.

Dave Allison, Darlington