SIXTEEN students have been recognised for outstanding achievement and excelling in their specialist areas in engineering.

Austin McNamara, executive director of County Durham's Learning and Skills Council, presented the Advanced Modern Apprentices with their personal certificates of achievement at Derwentside College's presentation day.

Many companies who have been involved with the apprentices' training, attended the ceremony, as well as students' family and colleagues.

Also present were John Hodgson, John Lyle and Robert Leech - representatives of Derwentside Engineering Forum, who have played a vital role in profiling the role of engineering in the area.

All of the students had successfully completed NVQs 2 and 3 in their specialist areas of fabrication and welding, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering, as well as City and Guilds' qualifications and five key skills.

Albert Croney, vice-principal of curriculum, said: "The Modern Apprenticeships that these young people have followed have placed great emphasis on obtaining skilled competence, through the acquisition of NVQs and underpinning knowledge.

"The students who are being presented are in the vanguard of sustaining and developing the skills base within Derwentside. The future wealth of the district, its companies and indeed the nation depends upon the people who work in it.

"I know that this area will benefit from the quality, skills and calibre of these young people."