FORMER students returned to their old school to show the benefits of an apprenticeship.

The TTE Technical Training Group visited Nunthorpe School, in Middlesbrough, with the help of Stuart Redman and Andrew Cunion.

The boys, both 17, visited their former school to tell students about their training and plans for careers in industry.

The visit links with TTE's relationship with schools across Teesside, aiming to raise awareness of technical apprenticeships as an option after leaving school.

Led by education links co-rdinator Keith Lilley, the visit was part of a careers event at Nunthorpe School.

Stuart and Andrew joined TTE's student engineering programme last September, part of the intake of more than 180.

They will spend two years at TTE's training centre in South Bank, Middlesbrough, working towards off-the-job skills and qualifications.

Trainee mechanical technician Andrew said: "We had a good time going back to Nunthorpe, and hope we have been of help to some of the students who are still deciding what to do after their GCSEs."

Stuart, who is working towards becoming an instrument technician, said: "I think we answered all the questions the students had for us. They mainly wanted to know what the differences were between being at school and working in the training centre."

During the second half of the programme, apprentices spend the majority of their time working at a sponsoring company, gaining on-the-job experience to prepare them for their future career.

Mr Lilley said: "Taking Stuart and Andrew to the school was a real benefit, because the students could see the difference apprenticeships are making to their lives and the potential they have to offer."