CONSTRUCTION companies in the region are beginning to reap the rewards of a two-year £1m grant to help training projects.

The Construction Industry Training Board in the North-East has successfully secured a grant from the European Social Fund to help pay for workforce training and development, as well as improving skills and qualifications.

The training board has been working closely with independent construction training groups and Business Link in Tees Valley, Durham, Tyne and Wear and Northumberland to hold a series of taster sessions.

The taster sessions, which are part of the Building a Better Business Programme, have already begun, but further events will be held on Thursday, next Tuesday and July 18 in the North-East.

For further information about the sessions contact Paul Gaze or Mike Hetherington, of the Construction Industry Training Board, on 0191-516 3900.