A WORCESTER fire protection company has become one of the first in the UK to open its own apprentice training academy.

Compco Fire Systems in Lower Wick has launched the facility following increased demand for its products across a range of commercial and industrial sectors and growing competition for young people with construction and engineering skills.

Worcester's MP Robin Walker officially opened the new academy where apprentices will be learning a number of new techniques including 3D CAD design with an in-house trainer. They have joined on trainee and apprenticeship courses ranging across a number of departments, including estimating and design. Compco recruited 16 apprentices in September alone, which represents a £400,000 investment in its skills and learning development programme.

Compco's sales director James Greenwood said: "We were very excited that Robin came along to share the positive steps we are taking to formalise and establish a first class Training Academy for our Apprentices, in which we hope to continue in the future”.