NORTH-EAST train-builder Hitachi has launched a recruitment drive for 200 people to work at its £82m Newton Aycliffe factory.

The first major phase of recruitment includes roles in engineering, manufacturing, technical and quality assurance teams.

There are also vacancies in facilities management, human resources, communications, finance and procurement.

Visitors to the recruitment events will be able to talk to representatives from the teams and find out more about the roles on offer.

Hitachi has been steadily building its senior team in recent months, and construction of the Aycliffe factory is expected to be completed at the end of the summer.

It currently has 40 staff based in offices at the Xcel Centre on Aycliffe Business Park, 20 SAP (IT system) workers based in XCEL as well as seven design engineers in the nearby Workplace building

Ultimately, there will be 730 new jobs created at the County Durham plant, with 400 roles to be filled by Spring 2016, when train production starts.

Julia Potts, HR manager at Hitachi Rail Europe, said: “The whole team at Hitachi Rail Europe here in Newton Aycliffe is looking forward to the recruitment events and the chance to talk to potential candidates.

“If you are interested in working with us, please register to come along and see us.

“We would really like to find out more about you and the kind of skills you can bring to our company.

“If you cannot make it on the day, please don’t worry that this would put you at a disadvantage.

“You are welcome to register on our recruitment portal for all upcoming vacancies.”

A total of 866 Class 800/801 train carriages will be built at the Newton Aycliffe site, destined to run on the East Coast Main Line from 2018 (and the Great Western Main Line from 2017).

The trains have been ordered by the Department of Transport for its Intercity Express Programme (IEP), which will see Agility Trains (a consortium of Hitachi and John Laing) finance, deliver and then maintain the trains for 27.5 years.

Hitachi Rail Europe is also the preferred supplier of trains to Abellio’s ScotRail programme.

The 70 AT200 commuter trains (46 three -car trains and 24 four-car trains) will be built at Newton Aycliffe.

The recruitment events are at the Xcel Centre in Newton Aycliffe on February 5 and 7.

To register for a place at the recruitment event, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hitachi-rail-europe-recruitment-event-saturday-7th-february-tickets-15325981423

All job roles will be posted on the website www.hitachirail-eu.com/careers in which you can register and apply for suitable job roles.