EDUCATION
ON THE RIGHT COURSE
Apprenticeships set up Teesside businesses for success
Sembcorp apprentices are pictured with , from left , Matt Telling , Middlesbrough College business engagements and partnerships director , Sembcorp Energy UK HR business partner Graham Taylor , and Becky Brown , Middlesbrough College sales manager .
The skills to fuel workforce growth across the Tees Valley are being engineered at Middlesbrough College .
From accountancy and customer service to digital and engineering – a whole range of in-demand skills are being nurtured for ambitious companies .
Middlesbrough College Group ’ s apprenticeship and training arm , Northern Skills , has trained more than 2,000 apprentices , putting it in a strong position to help shape the region ’ s economic landscape .
You only have to look at the likes of Sembcorp Energy UK , headquartered at Wilton International , in Middlesbrough , to see how tailored training is already paying dividends for its business .
That ’ s because Middlesbrough College ’ s approach is not only to keep pace with the skills businesses need to innovate and grow , but to stay ahead of the curve and create programmes that meet future requirements .
The group ’ s expert team of tutors and advisors – many of whom come from industry backgrounds – are tuned in to the trends shaping the opportunities and challenges local businesses face .
Teesside-based Sembcorp is a leading provider of sustainable solutions supporting the UK ’ s transition to Net Zero and has worked with Northern Skills for almost two decades to future proof its workforce .
Graham Taylor , Sembcorp HR business partner , knows all about the benefits of taking on apprentices , having started his own career as an apprentice . He said : “ We ’ ve worked with Northern Skills and its sister operation TTE for years to bring on apprentices , and it ’ s proved an effective part of our succession plans .
“ In fact , much of our workforce began as apprentices and have worked their way up to fully-qualified team members , including many of our senior team .
“ Our philosophy is to ‘ grow our own ’ and apprenticeships really support that thinking . Learners join us having already spent a solid two years at the college , learning all about our sector and building fundamental skills .
“ Our job is to then open up opportunities for them to further develop their skills , support their learning and ultimately invest in them and their career .
“ We also regularly sponsor apprentices through degree level qualifications , and we find that really helps build loyalty among our young workforce .”
Sembcorp ’ s latest cohort of 14 apprentices is its biggest intake to date and includes apprentices across finance , IT , labs , maintenance , and operations , as well as its first ever HR apprentice .
The energy giant also just scooped the title ‘ Large Business of the Year ’ at Northern Skills ’ annual apprenticeship awards , recognised for its commitment to developing apprentices .
As part of the apprenticeship process , Northern Skills supports employers with recruitment , providing them with a shortlist of students ’ CVs .
Once the apprentices have started , its team of assessors and regional managers work in conjunction with managers to ensure their success on tailored programmes .
Programmes are carried out in the workplace too , meaning learners get proper hands-on experience , as well as online and in the specialist industry-leading training environments at Middlesbrough College – including its £ 20m STEM Centre and TTE ’ s world-class facilities .
Matt Telling is group director of business engagement and partnerships at Middlesbrough College Group , responsible for helping both employers and students take advantage of the opportunities available in the region .
He said : “ We ’ re proud to work with employers like Sembcorp , who see the value in working with young ambitious learners and giving them an opportunity to kick start their careers .
“ Apprenticeships can encompass a whole range of different training methods that can be tweaked and modified to suit a business ’ s needs .”
Middlesbrough College Group delivers more than 100 courses to thousands of learners every year across all levels , through Northern Skills and sister operation TTE , which supports local and international students ’ journeys in the oil and gas , process , manufacturing and engineering sectors .
Matt is keen to meet with businesses and employers to understand their needs and show how Middlesbrough College Group and Northern Skills can offer support . For an informal chat , contact Matt on 01642 333902 or at MJ . Telling @ mbro . ac . uk .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 71