Early Promotion For Middlesbrough FC as 20 Stewards Get Training Boost to Achieve Senior Status

 

Promotion has come to the Riverside early this season.

No fewer than 20 stewards who keep fans safe at Middlesbrough Football Club have successfully completed training with the help of training support funded by the Combined Authority.

Training provider Orangebox offered the squad a step up by offering Level 2 and 3 Courses in Spectator Safety.

And a dozen of the team has gone on to progress into Supervisor roles.

Middlesbrough’s own Leo Marshall, 19, took on a course, enjoyed the challenge and clinched his first job with the club.

He said: “I’m working and feel less anxiety than I did – I feel good about my future now.”

Devolved funding from the UK Government’s Adult Skills Fund and Skills Bootcamps helped bankroll the training.

The Skills Bootcamps allowed existing stewards to move into more senior roles while funding through the devolved Adult Skills Fund allowed the club to take on new staff who were previously unemployed.

Mark Robinson, from Hartlepool, was struggling to get work in the type of job he wanted.

But the course helped him add to his CV and get a job close to home.

The 59-year-old said: “The tutor was really good and the course was simple to follow.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Getting people the skills they need to get jobs is at the heart of what we’re doing. It’s great to see our funding doing exactly what it should with Orangebox’s help.

“We’ve put the foundations in place for good well-paid jobs across our region and we’re striving to get work for as many people as possible.

“Boro matchdays don’t run without the tireless team behind the scenes keeping everyone safe.

“The club stewards have got their deserved promotion – let’s hope Michael Carrick and the squad on the pitch follow suit in 2025.”

Nicola Hubble, Director of Career Development at Orangebox, added: “We were delighted when Middlesbrough FC approached us to support their recruitment drive for the new season.

“We had already delivered the qualification to stewards working for the club, but they really wanted to help local unemployed people into sustainable jobs.

“Leo is part of our third cohort of Spectator Safety candidates we have upskilled and supported into employment with the club.

“You never forget your first job and we certainly won’t forget Leo, either.

“Mark is from the first cohort to take part in the pre-employment delivery for the club and is one of nine candidates who were offered the job.

“We are very honoured to be a part of this and really thrilled that Mark found exactly what he was looking for.”

Skills Bootcamps are funded by the Department for Education, as part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee, and provided locally through the Combined Authority.