A DARLINGTON training provider has won a major contract to help ex-military staff gain employment after service.

Nordic Focus Training Group (NFTG) has piloted an 18 month training programme for Persimmon Homes and its Combat to Construction scheme. Based at its new training centre in Darlington there are plans to expand the training to London, then nationwide.

Ex- Army, Royal Navy and RAF personnel will be retrained to help the firm reach its target of building 13,000 new homes in the next year.

Peter Robinson, NFTG executive chairman, said: “It is a fantastic opportunity to get our ex-service men and women into long-term employment by giving them sustainable jobs.

“We’re gearing up our service in the construction sector to help fill the skills gap. It’s a priority area and we believe this contract can help significantly improve the skills shortage.”

With a commitment to train 500 apprentices in bricklaying and joinery, NFTG has employed eight people for the project and has already inducted 40 people onto the programme.

Richard Latham, group HR director at Persimmon Homes said: "We are keen to develop a long-term partnership with Nordic Focus Training Group. We previously spoke to a number of colleges and other training providers, however NFTG stood head and shoulders above the rest by virtue of their willingness to embrace the project in its entirety and their “can do” approach to the challenges we gave them.

"The majority of the first intake to the programme are all relatively local, from the North and North East, but Combat to Construction is a nationwide programme so trainees will be travelling to Darlington from all over the country."