DERBY train-maker Bombardier says it will take on more apprentices this year as it looks to develop the next generation of rail engineers.

The Litchurch Lane firm is currently the busiest it has been in its history, with an unprecedented five production lines in full flow.

The company, which employs around 2,000 people, is hoping to secure more orders over the next decade as the Government continues to invest in the rail network.

As a result, Bombardier is looking for fresh, new talent to ensure that the firm can continue to deliver the quality and reliability needed to secure those contracts.

This year, the company will take on 15 apprentices, who will each undergo three-and-a-half years of training.

Since Bombardier reinstated its apprentice scheme in 2005, 44 have been recruited.

It was prompted to restart the scheme after identifying a skills shortage in the industry.

Neil Harvey, Bombardier's director of communications, said: "The apprenticeship was initially stopped because the firm had hit a lull but as work started to come in again, we realised that there was a lack of new blood coming through.

"Not only that, the people we were taking on had not gone through the intensive training that apprenticeships offer, so we felt we needed to bring them back."

The apprentices spend their first year being trained at the Rolls-Royce Training Centre, at Sinfin.

They then work through a planned programme at Bombardier's Litchurch Lane site, working on different projects and in different areas within production and testing.

The apprentices can then specialise in either electrical or mechanical disciplines, or spray-painting.

They also undertake further education, first being trained to NVQ Level 2 and then on to a minimum Level 3.

Mr Harvey said: "By putting these youngsters through our own apprenticeship system, it instills a greater loyalty to the company and, as a result, improves staff retention.

"Potentially, these apprentices are the future of Bombardier and the UK rail industry.

"These apprentices can go on to play key roles as team leaders, particularly in the manufacturing side of the business."

Bombardier is the last remaining passenger train-maker in the UK.

It is currently working on contracts for Transport for London, Southern/First Capital Connect, Gautrain and the Victoria Line.

But despite being busy, the firm has not been immune to the effects of the credit crunch.

Last week, it confirmed that it had laid off some of its temporary workers because it was struggling to get parts needed from suppliers to fulfil its contracts.

Banks have put such a squeeze on credit that suppliers are finding it impossible to borrow to pay for extra equipment and employees to meet Bombardier's demand for parts.

As a result, Bombardier has told 77 temporary workers to stay at home this week and next because there is no work for them.

Earlier this month, Bombardier bought a factory belonging to one of its suppliers, Time 24, in Parcel Terrace, to guarantee the supply of the wiring products it needs.

Mr Harvey said: "It's a real shame but we are working with suppliers to sort things out and we hope that the temporary staff who have been affected will be back to work some time soon."

Bombardier's apprenticeship scheme remains unaffected and it is currently inviting applications, the deadline for which is the end of February.

Its work, along with that of other rail firms in the region, will be featured in a special Evening Telegraph 16-page supplement published next week, which focuses on the role that rail will play in the region's future.

The supplement, called Rail Power, which is being backed by the Derby and Derbyshire Rail Forum, of which Bombardier is a member, will be published inside the Evening Telegraph on Tuesday.