FEATURE
Explorers – PD Ports has relaunched its Teesport Explorers programme for young people
HIGH HOPES
PD Ports ’ ‘ Project Hope ’ aims to find new ways of inspiring young people
38 | Tees Business
Frans Calje – Changing the narrative for a more equal and diverse future .
Following two years of unprecedented challenges posed by the Covid-19 crisis , PD Ports , the largest private employer in the Tees Valley , is renewing its call for businesses to do all they can to tackle skills gaps , challenge stereotypes and raise aspirations .
As part of an ongoing commitment to supporting young people that spans over two decades , PD Ports boasts award-winning apprenticeship programmes and has a proven track record in attracting , retaining and developing talent , having trained more than 105 apprentices in the last five years alone .
However , the port operator also recognises that the earlier in life children are exposed to career experiences , the greater the impact and the greater the chance of positively influencing perceptions .
First trialled pre-pandemic in 2019 , PD Ports has now officially revamped and relaunched its innovative Teesport Explorers programme as part of a week of International Women ’ s Day celebrations .
The programme , which aims to give primary school children their first glimpse of potential future careers during a trip around the fifth largest port in the UK , will now be rolled out to primary schools across the Tees Valley in order to open the eyes of as many young people as possible .
In February , the company welcomed 30 children from Middlesbrough-based Pennyman Primary Academy on an exclusive relaunch trip to spend time with PD Ports staff from the marketing team , engineering department , harbour police , transport team and operations , while taking in all the sights and sounds that the port has to offer .
Kirsten Donkin , head of PR , marketing and communications at PD Ports , said : “ Our first pilot programme of the Teesport Explorers was so hugely successful but , unfortunately , our plans were brought to a halt as the pandemic took hold soon after .
“ Instead of being deterred , we have