Ashington-based BSSLED (www.bssled.co.uk), which manufactures LED lighting solutions, has partnered with North East training provider Seta (www.seta.co.uk) in a move to counter the region’s engineering skills gap.

Washington-based Seta — a ‘not for profit’ business — will initially deliver a tailored apprenticeship programme, with scope for further commercial training courses in the future.

Steve Bell, founder of BSSLED, said: “The region as a whole is facing a major skills shortage, particularly within engineering, as we are struggling to produce enough young engineers and are too reliant on older workers.

“Seta is helping to combat this gap, together with the support of firms like ours, so hopefully we can produce even more young and enthusiastic engineers by equipping them with the education and acumen necessary to succeed in industry.”