A BUS operator has invested in an apprenticeship programme to tackle an industry skills shortage.

Go North East, which runs services a number of services across the region, is working with Gateshead College, and has taken on mechanical and electrical engineers, as well as coach builders.

The youngsters will hone their skills at Go North East’s eight depots over the next four years and be trained at the Skills Academy for Automotive, Engineering, Manufacturing and Logistics.

Kirk Trewin, Go North East’s chief engineer, said: “We spend a lot of money recruiting and training up engineers from other industries because there are not enough bus engineers out there.

“We also have a responsibility to the industry to introduce as many apprentices as we can.

“We have been heavily involved in developing this new apprenticeship programme to enable us to produce apprentices of a higher calibre with the skills to be even more effective in the workplace.

“The trainees will be taught to our exact specification.”

Paul Gough, Gateshead College’s strategic leader, business growth and employer engagement, added: “We are working to equip the region’s future workforce with highly skilled apprentices who benefit from expert training and real world experience of the workplace.”