A HEAVY vehicle maker is helping to keep traditional engineering skills in the region as staff numbers at its North-East factory return to pre-recession levels.

Two years after the collapse of the construction industry forced Caterpillar to axe 400 jobs at its plant in Peterlee, the firm has more than 1,000 workers on its books and its apprenticeship scheme is massively over-subscribed. Demand for vehicles has soared this year, with orders from booming economies including Brazil and China, helping the US-based firm to bounce back strongly. To meet this rising interest, production levels have doubled year-on-year from 2010 and are forecast to increase again for 2012 at the 42-acre site which is the firm's only facility for making articulated trucks.

Caterpillar has spent 5m this year to upgrade technology at the plant, and another 5m is earmarked for investment next year. Its long-term commitment to County Durham - where it is once again one of the biggest private employers - has been underlined by its apprenticeship programme which nurtures the next generation of engineering talent.

During a site tour with Durham County Councils Leader, Simon Henig, Caterpillars plant manager, Phil Handley, said: "Operating our own apprenticeship scheme means we have a ready made skilled workforce equipped with all they need to help maintain our position as market leaders in the production of articulated trucks.

"We now have 37 apprentices and I am delighted to say our workforce is back to pre-recession full strength, with hopes high of further growth in the future.

"As a business which is both committed to the area and which has benefitted significantly from the councils support I am really pleased to have had the opportunity to show off what we do. It was also a chance to say that we recognise the real passion amongst the staff we employ and acknowledge that our continuing success reflects the pride they show in what they do."

Speaking after the tour Coun Henig said: "It is wonderful to hear of the companys ambitious plans to invest a further 5m in its Peterlee plant next year and to get the chance to meet just one of the many apprentices benefitting from Caterpillars proactive approach to training.

"The council has just launched its own hunt for 130 apprentices under the County Durham Apprenticeship Programme and it is vital to use opportunities like this to illustrate the importance of public/private sector working.

"The fact that over 500 young people applied for the opportunity to take on an apprenticeship at Caterpillar shows the high demand for opportunities like this and underlines the continued importance of manufacturing to the county. Illustrated most graphically earlier this year with the announcement by Hitachi of its intention to open a base at Newton Aycliffe, we must build on our growing global reputation as a great place to do business."

Caterpillar apprentice Scott Smith, 21, whose father has worked for the company for 33 years, is three years into a four year apprenticeship in fabrication welding. "Getting this apprenticeship is the best thing I have ever done," he said. "Now I hope to progress through the company right up the ladder. One day hopefully Ill take Phil Handleys job."