NEWS
New roles support continued investment
Heavy machining expert Tees Components has increased its cohort of apprentices with the addition of two new positions .
Managing director Sharon Lane – who herself swapped studying a degree fulltime for an apprenticeship in engineering , said : “ Apprentices have always been crucial to the ongoing business at Tees Components .
“ It ’ s essential that we continue to invest in the high level of skill required within the business , and it ’ s great to see apprentices develop in confidence over time as they move up through the company to become highly-trained mechanical and electrical engineers .”
The latest duo to join the team are Nieve Williams , 17 , and Aaron Oakes , 16 , who joined the Skelton-based company in September as part of the annual recruitment of apprentices , brought in to fill positions created by continued growth as well as retirements .
During the first year of their four-year advanced apprenticeships , Nieve , from New Marske , and Aaron , from Skelton , will be based initially at the STEM Centre at Middlesbrough College , which will work closely with Tees Components in providing tailored training for apprentices working towards NVQ Level 2 qualifications .
The STEM Centre is a key aspect of the apprenticeship programme , providing a work environment that replicates the engineering industry , ensuring that the North-East stays ahead of industrial skills training .
From the second year , when they will work towards gaining a Level 3 qualification , the apprentices will be based within Tees Components ’ recently developed £ 100,000 specialist training and development facility , learning specific skills in precision CNC machining and general mechanical engineering , which will give them the long-term skills to support future business growth .
APPRENTICESHIP- SHAPE !
The future – Nieve Williams and Aaron Oakes joined Skelton-based Tees Components as part of the annual recruitment of apprentices .
To support its apprentice training programme , the company recently invested in a dedicated training centre at its site in North Skelton . The 19th-century building , a former ironstone mine milling shop , has been kitted out with STEMstandard equipment , including seven training stations featuring manual and CNC lathe turning , manual and CNC milling , surface grinding and bench work . It also includes two new machine tools – an XYZ CNC and DRO manual mode milling machine and Colchester Harrison M300 manual lathe .
Tees Components is proud of its role as an employer and as a contributor to the wider Teesside economy . The training facility investment reflects its commitment to providing quality jobs and careers for young people , in addition to supporting the continued personal development of the existing workforce .
The additional trainees take the company ’ s total number of apprentices to seven , strengthening a unique ethos reflected by the fact that over 40 per cent of the current workforce started their careers as apprentices . The company , which boasts a strong recruitment and retention rate , also offers a placement to every school and college in the area , with many attending work experience at the age of 14 and latterly going on to apply to Tees Components ’ apprenticeship scheme . The apprenticeships were created with the ongoing support of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council , alongside the Tees
Boss – Tees Components managing director Sharon Lane , who swapped studying a degree for an apprenticeship .
Valley Combined Authority Apprenticeship Support Grant , introduced in February and designed to assist employers who are committed to creating new apprenticeships or progressing their existing apprentices onto higher levels .
Tees Components also utilised the Tees Valley Combined Authority New Employer Grant for Apprenticeships , introduced during the pandemic to support businesses and help them retain as many apprentices as possible , ensuring that their employment continues , as well as funding from the National Apprenticeship Service .
Sharon adds : “ We are always well supported by our training partner , Middlesbrough College , who give us lots of advice on what funding is available , and it ’ s been good to have the backing of the authorities , particularly following the dramatic decline in apprenticeship creation as a result of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ We are very appreciative of the support provided by the Tees Valley Combined Authority schemes and Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council , which has been instrumental in giving us that incentive and the extra degree of security to be able to continue with our plans for recruiting apprentices .”
The voice of business in the Tees region | 97