BREAKFAST events aimed at finding positions for apprentices facing redundancy with companies in the region start on Monday.

As part of the £60m Tees Valley Industrial Programme (TVIP), more than £2.1m is being offered to local employers who can provide work placements.

The events have been organised by Middlesbrough training charity The TTE Technical Training Group, which is responsible for some of the apprentices training, to help local companies secure funding from the TVAP.

The apprentices are on level two or three of their apprenticeship framework, having spent one to two years gaining specialist engineering qualifications and vocational training.

They are skilled in mechanical, electrical, instrumentation or process disciplines and have a strong grounding in key aspects of safety and workplace competency.

Taking place every morning between Monday and Friday next week from 7.45am to 9am at TTE's South Bank training centre, the briefings will explain how Tees Valley employers can access funding to add apprentices to their workforces.

Keith Leslie, TTE Director of Apprenticeships, said: "These events are designed to help employers understand how the funding process works, how they can access it and, most importantly, what benefit apprentices can bring to their businesses.

"Securing this funding for the Tees Valley in the current economic climate presents a very positive opportunity for local industry. "Employers should take advantage of this support to inject some fresh impetus into the development of skilled engineers, which will create a legacy for Tees Valley for years to come."

Employers who are interested in attending the events can contact Graham Plant at TTE on 01642 770301 or email graham.plant@tte.co.uk