TONY Hobbs was more than content with his job.

Working at the £340m Fujitsu microelectronics plant in the 1990s, he was a manufacturing team leader, and never thought he would see that career cut short.

But that’s when it all changed.

In 1998, the Japanese firm’s factory, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, shut down.

About 600 staff lost their jobs, and with them went a major inward investor, once hailed as a panacea for the North-East economy.

The company had grand plans to employ up to 1,500 people making microchips, but was stung by the collapse of the market for semi-conductors, used in mobile phones.

To call it a shock would be understatement.

“I thought I had a job for life”, said Mr Hobbs.

“So I was then left thinking ‘what is the growing economy at the moment’?

“It was Nissan and the automotive sector, and I was introduced to a training business.”

After time at a car industry supplier, Mr Hobbs was soon working as a trainer for Assa Training and Learning, in Washington, Wearside, which focused on helping people back into work across the manufacturing sector.

He said: “I quickly realised I enjoyed the experience of training people.

“I tried it in manufacturing and found it rewarding, but now I was in a training company helping people to get back to work, often following a tumultuous time, one I had experienced myself.”

As the years passed, so did Mr Hobbs’ ascent up the ranks, and he was a key figure in a management buyout in 2003.

However, tragic factors out of his control meant the venture was short-lived.

But, in 2006, Mr Hobbs, who was born in South Africa and spent his first few years in the country’s Transvaal district, called on the same drive and determination he needed after Fujitsu’s collapse and made another move.

He launched Baltic Training Services as managing director, with support Hartlepool businessmen Freddie and Roger Peart, of the Peart Group.

The business works with IT companies to get youngsters into apprenticeships and plug the skills gap.

Based in Newton Aycliffe, Baltic oversees the IT Apprentice Hub, the first of its kind in the UK, which has been developed alongside regional employer network Dynamo North East in Sunderland and Newcastle, to help students get on to paid full-time apprenticeships.

Allied to that, Mr Hobbs has also bought the North-East franchise for New Horizons, the world’s largest online IT training brand, which delivers 40 per cent of all Microsoft training.

He said: “We see ourselves as facilitators”, said the 44-year-old, who lives in Neasham, near Darlington, with wife Nicola and sons Harry and Jack.

“Look at the North-East IT sector, there are about 2,000 posts that are not filled.

“We work to make sure young people understand what opportunities are there for them.

“We have built our reputation on being very employer-focused and flexible.

“Getting well trained employees, who can hit the ground running while undertaking training, is a powerful combination.

“I got into this business having undergone the experience of redundancy, so I understand how important and transformative re-training and re-focusing can be for people’s lives.

“I have been tapped on the shoulder a few times and thanked when out and about and there is nothing more rewarding than hearing about people you have helped train turning their lives around.”

But it’s not just IT where Baltic, which employs 110 staff, is placing all of its attention.

It has launched a rail division, which has already created 200 apprentices since the start of the year.

Mr Hobbs added: We are focusing on two sectors; IT and rail.

“Rail is a really good fit with our existing training programmes.

“There is £9bn promised to improve rail infrastructure and 32,000 apprentices required to implement this.

“We started rail last year, and there will be a lot of vacancies soon, with a number of ageing employees due to retire in the next five to ten years.

“It will be very much focused on infrastructure; there’s HS2, HS3 and the electrification of lines, replacing the diesel trains with overhead power lines.

“We’re also working at the London Underground with second tier suppliers and are training people through that.

“It’s a very exciting time, and in business you must act on an opportunity.”

Five minutes with...Tony Hobbs

Favourite North-East building and why? The only building I ever notice is Gateshead Stadium and that’s because I used to enjoy competing in the stadium when I was younger.

What was your first job and how much did you get paid? I joined the Army straight from school as an apprentice technician in the Royal Corp of Signals, at Harrogate. I was paid £90 a week although the Army put £80 in the bank and allowed you only to spend £10 a week for the first four months.

What is the worst job you've had? I’ve enjoyed every job I’ve had to some degree. One of the more challenging jobs I had was working for an electronics business where I was responsible for an almost entirely female workforce. Coming from the Army background that was a complete culture shock for me, but probably taught me more about management than any other role I’ve had.

What would you cook for me if I came around for dinner? With difficulty, I have two signature dishes. Braised steak, mashed potato and carrots, or a steak sandwich and fries. Other than that I would be warming up a meal for two from a local supermarket.

What would your superpower be? Time travel. I enjoy reading historical fiction and would love to be able to go back in time and live among the Greeks and Romans and see how it actually was.

Name four people, dead or alive, who would be at your perfect dinner party: Jesse Owens - so he could talk you through the Berlin Olympics; My late granddad - as he is the kindest man I’ve ever known; Freddie Peart - one of the major shareholders in the business, he is the life and soul of any party; Jack Nicholson - he has to be one of the coolest men alive.

Most expensive thing you've bought - other than car or house - and how much? Omega Sea master watch around £2,000.

Who is the best person to follow on Twitter and why? Phil Hay, Yorkshire Post sports writer. He doesn’t pull his punches.

Favourite book? Shogun.

When did you last cry? Watching The Big Build. It gets me every time.

What is your greatest achievement? My family: a beautiful wife and two wonderful children.

What's the best piece of advice in business you've ever been given? Things are rarely ever as good or as bad as the first seem. Always stay grounded and calm.

Favourite animal and why? Dogs. They are so loyal and just want to please.

Most famous person on your mobile phone? Martin Gray, Darlington FC football manager.

What was the last band you saw live? Coldplay.

Describe your perfect night in: Meal for two, Passenger playing in the background, a Morgan’s and Coke then sitting in front of my log fire.

In another life I would be... An Olympic athlete, long jump and triple jump.

Who would play you in a film of your life? Eddie Redmayne.

What irritates you? Lateness.

What's your secret talent? I was once a reasonably good athlete.