A NORTH-EAST training and apprenticeship provider is relocating to tackle a skills shortage in the construction industry.

The Nordic Focus Training Group is opening a new academy in Chesnut Street, Darlington, which will house facilities for delivering construction apprenticeships and corporate training.

The academy will focus on increasing construction apprenticeships due to a skills shortage in the industry and will be officially opened on Friday, August 1 by the mayor of Darlington, Councillor Gerald Lee.

It also has plans to become an official Construction Skills Certificate Scheme test centre.

Kully Brooks, managing director said: “Moving to our new training academy provides us with a great platform for further business growth.

“We will be in a position to expand the number of services and qualifications we currently offer our clients and we understand the value of an employer-led approach to training delivery.

“More importantly our apprentices and trainees will benefit from a comfortable well equipped training environment. We are really looking forward to welcoming everyone at our launch event.”

The move follows a collaboration between Nordic Pioneer and Focus Training and Development, which, combined, have 30 years’ experience and have trained more than 40,000 people.

Currently it has more than 400 apprentices in training.

For more information visit www.nftg.co.uk