New apprentices are the “ideal opportunity” to prepare for economic recovery.

Truck manufacturer Caterpillar has teamed up with South West Durham to hire ten new apprentices.

The announcement comes at a time when unemployment for under 24-year-olds is at a 13 year high.

The ten apprentices, all aged between 17-19, have joined the 800 strong work force at Caterpillar’s Peterlee site.

Fred Felton, apprentice manager at Caterpillar Peterlee, said: “Although the make-up of apprenticeships has changed over the years, Caterpillar sees the value of this type of high quality training programme in keeping traditional skills, such as fabrication and welding, alive.

“We now employ 24 apprentices altogether. We are hoping that as many of these young people as possible will continue to progress their careers within Caterpillar.

“You only have to look back 30 years or so to our ‘apprentices of old’ to see that many are still employed here today and are working in senior management, supervisory or technical roles.”

South West Durham Training will provide onsite support for the new recruits, helping them towards their Advanced Apprenticeship qualifications in Fabrication and Welding.

Chris Blin, Learning Manager at Peterlee, said: “Like many organisations, Caterpillar has felt the effects of the economic downturn.

“However, we see this as an ideal opportunity to plan ahead and make sure we have the right skills in place for when the economy recovers and things pick up again.”