Tour Of Job Prospects And Opportunities For Scholars Taking On Landmark £1m Training Initiative

A landmark £1million training initiative to power our region’s transition to the industries of the future has seen more than 140 scholars visit Teesworks and see the jobs and opportunities available.

The Tees Valley Net Zero Industry Scholarship is training more than 140 individuals in high-demand roles for our region including welding, instrumentation, pipefitting, electrical engineering, and civil operations.

The scholarship is financially supported by Net Zero Teesside Power and the Northern Endurance Partnership.

And scholars from five leading colleges and education institutions have seen the Teesworks site up close to broaden their horizons.

Guisborough’s Fionn Kandel, 17, is taking on a two-year scholarship at NETA Training to gain a Level 3 Electric Engineering BTEC.

He said: “I found out about the scholarship through social media – to do a course and get paid doing it is a no-brainer really.

“It’s been brilliant meeting new people. How the site has been knocked down and built up is really interesting.

“After finishing the two-year course, I want to find an apprenticeship as there are lots of opportunities locally.”

Training is being delivered in partnership with leading local providers – the Education Training Collective (Etc.) through Redcar and Cleveland College and NETA Training, TTE part of Middlesbrough College, Hartlepool College of Further Education, and Darlington College – supported by Teesworks Skills Academy, with training funded through the National 16-19 programme.

Mohammed Fadil Hussain, 17, is taking on a scholarship with Middlesbrough College – and has gained confidence on his quest to gain a Level 3 Apprenticeship.

He added: “I just want to help the planet in any way possible, as without it, humans would no longer exist. This is why I am interested in the NZT Power project as it is set to capture up to two millions tonnes of CO₂ from getting into the atmosphere each year.”

The scholarship provides £100 per week during term time to help students financially as they complete up to two years of training.

Tristan Hickman, a Mechanical Fitting scholar, from Darlington, has picked up plenty of practical skills on the Darlington College course.

The 17-year-old added: “The scholarship has been great so far and I am really enjoying it. I have learned a lot of useful information along with practical skills that I know will benefit me going forward.

“I find all aspects of the course interesting, and as I continue to progress, I aim to develop these skills further and use them to my advantage in the workplace.”

Graduates leave the scholarship with industry-recognised qualifications and practical experience, ensuring they are ready to play their part in multi-billion-pound clean energy projects across the Tees Valley.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “It’s always brilliant to see so many young people standing on Teesworks and seeing for themselves the scale of what is happening here.

“These scholars are gaining the skills we know are in rising demand – and they will be the ones building, operating and maintaining the industries that will drive our region forward.

“This is the beginning of hundreds of careers that will help power growth in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool for generations to come. It’s providing good quality jobs for local people, giving them the skills and the wages to build strong futures for themselves and their families.”

Mark Lewis, NZT Power and NEP Construction Manager, added: “The scale of opportunity across the Tees Valley is huge but meeting that opportunity depends on having a skilled local workforce ready to deliver it.

“By working closely with colleges and training providers, we are helping to provide local people with the expertise needed to build careers in the clean energy sector.

“Visits like this bring the opportunity to life. The scholars can see the projects taking shape and understand the part they could play. We look forward to welcoming more of them back in the coming weeks to see how progress is unfolding.”

Cllr Lisa Evans, TVCA Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills and Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: “We are seeing real growth across our region, with major investment in carbon capture, clean energy and offshore wind creating new and exciting career pathways.

“This Scholarship is making sure local people are first in line to take up those opportunities with the help of our brilliant colleges.

“By combining financial support with high quality training and direct engagement with industry, it’s helping young people gain the skills, confidence and qualifications they need to secure long term, well-paid employment for years to come.”