FIVE chemical companies based on Teesside have formed an alliance with a training provider to tackle a growing skills shortage in the sector.

The companies are supporting the region's first batch chemicals programme offered by the TTE Technical Training Group, which is designed to develop talent in the chemicals industry.

All five companies - Degussa Seal Sands; Oxford Chemicals; Lundbeck Pharmaceuticals; Vertellus Specialities UK and Victrex Manufacturing - have become the first sponsors of the batch chemicals advanced apprentices.

The training programme is the first of its kind in the North-East and is expected to become one of the core components of TTE's eight apprenticeship programmes.

Keith Leslie, TTE Technical Training Group's apprenticeship business director, said: "The chemical industry presents interesting, fulfilling and rewarding career prospects, and batch chemicals provides a marvellous opportunity for young people.

"We are confident that this will be the first of many intakes on to this employer-led programme. This is not only an investment in young people, but an investment in the future skills requirements of employers."