Aycliffe Today Business | Page 8

8 | Aycliffe Today Business Bringing Aycliffe Business Park Together | 9 Gestamp Tallent Plant Director Peter Gallone and Training Controller David Pearson (right) with timeserved Apprentices Ross Fahey, Matthew Grimley, Connor McNulty, Aidan Spooner, Elliot Coatsworth, Ben Raper, Charles Rogerson and Ed Shearer. OneGym director Paul Pearson, who has vast experience in the leisure industry and has worked for former Dragon’s Den star Duncan Bannatyne. Gestamp apprentices handed full-time contracts Eight Apprentices at Gestamp Tallent have been handed their permanent contracts of employment during a special presentation at the Newton Aycliffe factory. Aycliffe's biggest employer also handed certificates to eight other members of staff who've completed advanced manufacturing programmes as part of the firm's efforts to keep employees fully trained. Gestamp Tallent takes on at least eight new Apprentices every year - usually four tool makers and four maintenance Apprentices - but in recent years has taken on as many as 16 a year. The firm, which currently employs 1