AS part of its 25th anniversary year a building firm is aiming to create at least 25 apprenticeships.

Southdale, which has offices in Darlington, is offering a apprenticeships, across a variety of building trades throughout the year.

The company already has 10 apprentices among its workforce of 120, with 4 of those having joined the company this year.

Paul Moore, Southdale’s managing director, said: “In years to come, the young talent which is developed now will be at the heart of our workforce, if not leading it. That is why creating apprenticeships, engaging with schools and colleges and developing opportunities for people to learn about and enter the construction industry is at the heart of every project we work upon.”

Beverley Robinson, the firm's human resources director, who joined the company as a book keeper in 1991, said: “With the exception of the company founders, Southdale’s board of directors consists entirely of people who have advanced their skills within the business. While we have yet to see an apprentice achieve board level, we believe our desire to develop people within our ranks shows that the sky is the limit for people in our industry.

"It is vital that companies such as Southdale get firmly behind apprenticeships, because neglecting this important area risks leaving a skills gap when the construction sector grows again. Bringing young people into the business, especially when the opportunity arises for them to work within the communities in which they live, is hugely rewarding.”