THE skills gap is a well-trodden path travelled by business leaders and company bosses.

The trip always ends with the same warning; the North-East is facing a shortage of people when it comes to filling roles across many industries.

However, Dave Spensley is pursuing a new route to block such worries.

Mr Spensley is behind Go Ahead Training, which aims to give companies in the manufacturing and engineering sectors the opportunity to dip into a deeper talent pool.

A large proportion of that drive is done by working with youngsters.

As we chat, Mr Spensley reveals he has just returned from a Hartlepool school, where an insight into robotics was the order of the day.

It’s an older head helping the younger ones, if you will.

But age, and the idea you can succeed at anything in any time of life, has always been central to Mr Spensley’s career.

Starting work at 15, he was an engineering company boss at 25.

Some may have been daunted by the prospect of such responsibility, but for Mr Spensley, it was the opposite.

He said: “I was quite young, but I knew I couldn’t work for anyone else.

“I had started when I was 15 and did a number of roles, including charge hand and foreman, before working my way up to buy the company at 25.

“It was challenging, particularly when meeting customers.

“Some might even have thought; who’s this skinny whippersnapper?

“But it worked and I met some fantastic people and won some absolutely fantastic projects.”

A successful past then, but what about the future?

Well, that’s where Go Ahead comes in.

Based at The Workplace, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, it works with schools and colleges across County Durham and Teesside.

It has a small team of staff, but is expected to add to that number in September.

Mr Spensley said the business offers something different, and will provide support to Hitachi’s £82m train building factory, in Aycliffe, and the nearby £10m South Durham University Technical College (UTC), which will train thousands of youngsters in engineering and advanced manufacturing skills.

He added: “I have some fantastic memories of my career, but I thought it was time for a change.

“This really is a life-changing experience; I’m living the dream because I’m meeting people who are enthusiastic about engineering and manufacturing.

“We have retired and semi-retired engineers, who talk about their life experiences.

“When you get them in front of a classroom of children, you can hear a pin drop, the pupils are so interested.

“Our team is growing and we’ve got a few teachers coming on board in September too.

“We take the children out of the classroom and put them in a working environment.

“We act as the middle man between schools and colleges and industry, so we can ensure we're equipping young people with the skills and attitudes needed.

“One of the main challenges is educating young people that there are real jobs out there for them, and we are offering something different.

“We’ve got Hitachi and the UTC coming on our doorstep, and I’m preparing the young people for the UTC, as well as our future engineers.”

Five minutes with... Dave Spensley, managing director of Go Ahead Training.

Favourite North-East building and why? The Sage. Being an engineer, the way the steelwork was formed into such a beautiful shape was an amazing engineering process.

What was your first job and how much did you get paid? Apprentice fabricator. £20 per week.

What is the worst job you've had? Apprentice fabricator. Only joking. I don’t really know, work is work, you just have to get on with it.

What would you cook for me if I came around for dinner? Portuguese tagine and saffron rice.

What would your superpower be? The power to stop wars and conflict worldwide.

Name four people, dead or alive, who would be at your perfect dinner party: Tommy Cooper, Les Dawson, Lee Evans and Bill Bailey.

Most expensive thing you've bought - other than car or house - and how much? Louis Bernard watch. £1,100.00.

Who is the best person to follow on Twitter and why? Leanne English/LEC Consultancy.

Favourite book? Jaws.

When did you last cry? Last month, when I watched my favourite film, Titanic.

What is your greatest achievement? Changing the lives of the young people I have worked with.

What's the best piece of advice in business you've ever been given? Good relationships are based on trust and confidence.

Favourite animal and why? Dog. They are not judgemental.

Most famous person on your mobile phone? Snake Davis.

What was the last band you saw live? Take That.

Describe your perfect night in: Watching the Welsh beat the English in the rugby Six Nations with a chicken biryani and cold beer.

In another life I would be... A parrot.

Who would play you in a film of your life? Russell Crowe. Quite a lot of people say I look like him.

What irritates you? People been late and lying.

What's your secret talent? I can speak like Donald Duck.