Sunderland-based Unipres (www.unipres.co.jp/en) — a manufacturer of pressed parts for the automotive sector — has recruited 15 apprentices, following the appointment of Hartlepool College of Further Education as a bespoke training provider .

Maureen Askew, senior controller at the Unipres Training Academy, said: “The company has employed almost 300 technical and technical support apprentices since 1989, and apprenticeship positions continue to grow throughout the business, with many other departments — such as HR, finance, quality and procurement — investing in apprenticeship positions.

“The industry continues to face a skills shortage, and it is essential that businesses like ourselves continue to invest in training for new employees — and for the existing workforce.

“Unipres has invested over £500,000 in a new training academy with industry specialist equipment to enhance staff’s experiences in learning new skills, but we realise that we can’t deliver everything ourselves, so we continue to work with specialist providers.”

The work was put out to tender, and Hartlepool College was awarded the training contract; Unipres will now take on 10 apprentices each year through the college.

College principal Darren Hankey said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by Unipres to deliver its apprenticeship programme.

“We are confident that this will be a successful partnership, and we look forward to seeing the apprentices progress.”