Mayor Sees Teesside Skills In Action At Middlesbrough College

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has visited Middlesbrough College to see first-hand the innovative ways Tees Valley’s young people are upskilling themselves.

During his visit, Mr Houchen was given a guided tour of the college’s facilities by College Principal and Chief Executive Zoe Lewis. He met culinary students in the college’s Waterside Brasserie and Kitchen facilities, talked to Performing Arts and Personal Training students in its Gymwold area, and listened to staff and students on the college’s Heath and Care Ward.

As part of the tour Mr Houchen also met students from engineering and built environment programmes, including those studying bricklaying, mechanical engineering, welding, motor vehicles, and the Elring Klinger routeways cohort in the college’s STEM workshops.

Mr Houchen said: “It was great to meet the staff and students at Middlesbrough College. The skills taught here will not only give the people taking courses access to rewarding and challenging careers, but will also underpin the economic revival of Tees Valley. By matching the training demands of industry with the specialisations of Further Education we can give even more people the chance to stay in Tees Valley when they finish their education, in good jobs.

“The Tees Valley’s Strategic Economic Plan has identified the need for people to be trained in a wide range of different sectors, including Advanced Manufacturing, Culture and Leisure, Digital and Creative, Health and Biologics, Logistics, Chemicals and Energy, and Professional and Business Services. It was fantastic to meet so many talented young people who have chosen to be educated in these areas.”

Zoe Lewis said: “It is vital that regional leaders like our Mayor see the important work that is going on in Further Education. The skills the people learn at Middlesbrough College not only set them up for exciting career opportunities, but have a wider societal and economic benefit for Teesside.”