Training centre expands as apprentice numbers soarA national trade association is expanding its North East training centre after apprentice numbers reached record levels. Numbers have risen steadily from 80 apprentices in 2021/22, reflecting growing demand for skills across the thermal insulation industry. TICA represents contractors working across hot and cold thermal insulation, with apprentices attending its Darlington centre for two-week training blocks every three months. To accommodate the growing number of apprentices, TICA has invested in expanding and reconfiguring its Darlington training centre, creating a larger theory classroom, an additional smaller classroom, improved staff facilities and dedicated female changing areas. It builds on a £250,000 investment completed in 2024, which created a 434sq metre mezzanine floor for end-point assessments and industry accreditations, freeing up more ground-floor space for apprentice training.