Engineering companies looking to safeguard their skills base are set to create up to 150 local apprenticeship vacancies.

Dean Coleman-Walker, business development manager at Bradford-based training company Appris Management Ltd, which specialises in engineering apprenticehips, said it already had 100 places on its books from among its 200 member companies.

He expects another 50 training places to become available once employers have decided on their intake.

Mr Coleman-Walker said Laisterdyke-based Appris had seen the number of engineering training places rise by nearly 30 per cent since 2011 as firms in Bradford, Keighley, Leeds and elsewhere in West Yorkshire acted to replace an ageing workforce. He also believes the increase is due to higher demand and an improving business climate for many manufacturers.

Appris works with the National Apprenticeship Service and employers ranging from those with a handful of workers to giants such as turbocharger manufacturer Borg Warner and radiator maker Denso Marston in Bradford and Baildon – both of which are significantly expanding their operations due to new orders.

The organisation has also widened its training options and also runs programmes for trainees in business and administration, logistics and supply chain management, marketing, human resources management anid information and communications technology.

It also has a range of programmes for people who have been made redundant or face losing their jobs and want to retrain.

Mr Coleman-Walker said: “We’re seeing a continued rise in the number of training opportunities as companies register more places with us. Engineering firms are facing a shills shortage as the workforce ages and they recognise that they need to act to ensure they have the right people in place in future.

“We work with companies with just two or three employees to those with thousands, and can provide them with a cost-effective means of skills training.”

Mr Coleman-Walker visits schools to inform youngsters and teachers about the world of work and the opportunities available. including disabusing them of the ‘greasy rag’ image of engineering.

Appris sifts and selects suitable candidates,liaises with colleges such as Bradford College for classroom-based training, while the apprentices complete their programmes of up to four years for an advanced apprenticeship on the shop floor.