A NORTH-EAST engineering and manufacturing training provider has called for improved careers advice to help teenagers into employment.

SW Durham Training (SWDT), in Newton Aycliffe, says young people are not being given the correct information on apprenticeships and training support, leaving them ill-equipped to apply for jobs in the manufacturing industry.

Michael Blades, the company's business development manager, was responding to a Government claim that careers services in England have deteriorated.

He said: “When it comes to apprenticeships, school leavers must understand engineering and manufacturing is an option that can lead to a long and successful career.

“We rely on schools and parents to ensure young people are well-informed about the different career paths they can take, and we firmly believe apprenticeships are a fantastic route into business. 

“We must see better advice, manufacturing and engineering in the North-East are both thriving, and we believe they could hold the key to the region's economy.

“The industry is a far from the dirty environments of days gone by, but this message is not being filtered down to young people.”