EDUCATION
hard work in the planning .
The college has aligned its plans with the local and combined authority and employers to ensure they meet real demand .
Over in Billingham , Bede Sixth Form College is also soon to see its ambitions reach fruition .
Investment from the Department for Education ’ s Post-16 Capacity Fund has enabled the college – currently celebrating its 50th year – to make room for a further 200 students .
Newly appointed college principal Patrick Jordan , a former Bede student himself , said : “ It has been fantastic to see the extension emerge before our eyes . This level of investment is great news for the college , the town and all those who choose to study with us .”
Like its colleagues across the group , Bede has taken its influence from the areas of expertise and emerging skills demand in the region .
With nine new classrooms and breakout spaces , the new facility will provide a dedicated learning area for those with a particular interest in the science and pharmaceutical sectors , as well as creative subjects such as art and design and media . “ Billingham and the whole of the Tees Valley is seeing a huge resurgence with amazing businesses investing in the area , companies like Fujifilm and PD Ports ,” said Patrick .
“ At Bede , and as a group , we are building incredible relationships with these businesses . Those links can create unbelievable opportunities for our students and offer huge benefits for the employers .
“ This doesn ’ t just strengthen Bede , the colleges or the group . What it does for a town like Billingham , and indeed the whole area , is phenomenal .”
And there ’ s more to come !
Development – a bird ’ s eye view showing how the Clean Energy Education Hub ( CEEH ) is coming along . PICTURE BY TOM BANKS
The developments don ’ t stop there at the Education Training Collective .
The group – which is made up of Bede Sixth Form , NETA Training , Redcar and Cleveland College , Stockton Riverside College and The Skills Academy in Billingham – has also announced major plans for its Stockton campus .
Funded in part by the Department for Education ’ s T level funding grant , this will mean the development of learning spaces for construction , motor vehicle , health , hair and beauty .
With the first cohort of T level students having joined the college this year , college principal Lesley Graham said : “ The chance to deliver these improvements will ensure that our learning spaces will remain aligned with the latest innovations in industrial workplaces . “ This will help ensure our learners leave college with the skills and experience they need to achieve their goals .”
To find out more about the Education Training Collective , its colleges , opportunities for businesses and courses visit the-etc . ac . uk .
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