A SKILLS drive is being launched to fill thousands of North-East IT vacancies.

An apprentice hub, created by employer network Dynamo and Baltic Training Services, will open next month.

Bosses say the first hub will be in Sunderland, with another scheduled for Newcastle in April, as they try to fill 2,000 regional posts.

They said if the project is successful it could be rolled out nationally.

The hub, funded through an agreement between Darlington College and Newton Aycliffe-based Baltic Training Services, puts students through its 15-week rising stars courses.

At the end of their studies, youngsters can move on to a paid full-time 12 month apprenticeship with an IT firm.

Bob Paton, vice chairman of Dynamo, which aims to expand the North-East’s IT economy while improving skills, said it was important to give companies help to attract more talented people.

Mr Paton, who is also managing director of Accenture, in Newcastle, added: “We have an ever growing and successful IT sector in the North-East.

“However, to grow it further we need to increase the pool of young people who have the skills necessary to join the industry.

“Setting up this hub is unique in IT and will significantly help more young people into our industry.

“We are delighted to provide support for the hub and believe it will have a major positive impact in small and medium-sized firms taking on apprentices.”

Louise Ball, Baltic Training Services' operations director, reiterated the need to keep pace with industry demands.

She added: “The IT sector is a major employer in the region and it’s very important we support it by attracting the brightest and best young talent in sufficient numbers.

“We will do this by delivering recognised accredited training and offering a clear route to the employer who in turn will provide sustainable career opportunities.

“We developed the model in collaboration with Dynamo within the IT sector, to provide a structured approach to attracting, training and recruiting new talent.”