YOUNGSTERS can learn about opportunities at one of the world's largest car parts suppliers at an open evening in County Durham.

ThyssenKrupp Automotive (TKA) Tallent Chassis, Newton Aycliffe's largest employer, which supplies BMW, Ford, General Motors, Nissan and the other car manufacturers, is holding the open evening at its factory on Thursday, from 4pm to 8pm.

Recent school leavers interested in the automotive industry are being encouraged to attend.

Managing director Simon Flunder is a board member of the North East Productivity Alliance (Nepa) and the Confederation of British Industry.

TKA Tallent Chassis needs highly-skilled employees, and makes a significant investment in training.

The company has received several awards for training education, winning the National Training Awards in 1999.

Last year, in a survey by the sector skills council for engineering and manufacturing, and the Engineering Employers Federation (EEF), TKA Tallent, along with Nissan, were named as the two companies who invest more in training their workforce than any other automotive companies in Britain.

TKA Tallent Chassis's Modern Apprenticeship Scheme has produced apprentices who have gone on to work their way up through the ranks to some of the most senior positions within the company.

At the open evening, potential apprentices will be able to look at the facilities and meet training specialists and apprentices.

As part of a £13m investment in the factory, Tallent is also taking on more than 120 workers by 2006 and is also looking for skilled technicians.