A WORLD-CLASS engineering company is launching its own training centre to turn apprentices into hydraulic engineers.

Industrial and Marine Hydraulics Ltd (IMH), of Middlesbrough, offers services in engineering, design and manufacturing, and employs more than 40 people.

Nathanael Allison, managing director, said: “This training centre is a long-term commitment in nurturing engineers for the future, primarily for our internal staff, but also for the local economy by potentially delivering short basic hydraulic courses to other engineering businesses in the North East.”

In 2011 the company was awarded the Long-Term Contribution to Apprenticeships award by the UK National Skills Council. Business leaders, local government officials, educational establishments and apprentices have been invited to the centre’s official opening next Friday.