Employment Minister Reg Empey has launched a new employer-led Engineering Technical Gas Apprenticeship scheme - that will provide "quality training" to mold the business leaders of tomorrow.

The apprenticeship offers employers the succession planning required as the Gas industry expands across the Greater Belfast Area and in the North West - where demand is growing from industrial and domestic users.

All employers involved have taken apprentices on the employer-led route and all apprentices are employed from day one.

Since being introduced in September 2008, 28 apprentices have taken up the new Engineering Technical Gas Apprenticeship.

The Minister commended the employers involved in the new apprenticeship and urged others to come on board.

"I would encourage employers, both large and small, to employ apprentices from the outset. I am confident that employers here today are going to reap the benefits of this new Apprenticeship.

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"With further employer engagement and quality training, apprentices will be an investment to your own companies, who can be developed to become potential leaders and managers of the future within the Gas Industry," said Sir Reg.

The Minister praised the contribution of Energy and Utility Skills, the Sector Skills Council for the Electricity, Gas, Waste Management and Water sectors, who developed this new Apprenticeship.

"I would like to acknowledge the determination and success of Energy and Utility Skills' engagement with employers, as well as the development of excellent working relationships throughout the Electricity, Gas, Waste Management and Water sectors.

"These effective working relationships have ensured that Apprenticeships are developed and introduced to meet the demand for skills within the Energy and Utility industry," he said.

Ronnie Moore, Skills Director National with Energy and Utility Skills, said: "By putting employers in the driving seat to shape this Apprenticeship from the outset, we have produced a scheme that will help ensure that these young people develop the skills actually needed in the workplace.

"We are very excited to be launching the first phase and hope more of our employers will come onboard to see how improving the skills of their young recruits can drive up productivity and motivation levels and improve recruitment and retention against the difficult backdrop of skills shortages," added Mr Moore.

(PR/JM)