EDUCATION
Collaboration – Hydrasun, a leading specialist provider of integrated fluid transfer, power and control solutions, has built up a close relationship with Middlesbrough College.
FUELLING FUTURES
Opportunities – by offering students structured, paid work placements alongside mentorship and specialist training, the company is investing in the engineers of the future.
How Middlesbrough College’ s flourishing partnerships with key local industries offer students a springboard to career success
Middlesbrough College is committed to fostering ongoing collaborative relationships with local industry leaders, delivering valuable work experience and apprenticeship opportunities that help prepare students for successful careers in engineering and manufacturing.
A valued partner in this effort is Hydrasun, a leading fluid power solutions provider. Hydrasun works closely with Middlesbrough College’ s specialist engineering and manufacturing training arm, TTE, to support apprenticeships and hands-on training designed to bridge the local skills gap.
TTE is renowned for delivering technical training from foundation level to advanced, focusing on areas critical to the Tees Valley economy. Hydrasun actively engages with TTE students, providing practical work experience, mentoring and industrial support, particularly in instrumentation and mechanical technology.
This academic year, Hydrasun has welcomed three different instrumentation BTEC Level 3 students each week for work experience. This rotating placement model has enabled the entire 2024 / 25 cohort of instrumentation learners to gain real-world skills that complement their classroom learning.
Matthew Telling, group business development director at Middlesbrough College, said:“ Hydrasun’ s commitment to providing consistent, high-quality work experience placements has been transformative for our instrumentation students.
“ Their hands-on mentoring and realworld opportunities not only equip learners with the technical skills they need but also inspire confidence and professionalism that set them up for long-term career success.
“ Partnerships like this are crucial in closing the skills gap and ensuring our students are truly workforce-ready.”
The partnership benefits both sides: students acquire industry knowledge and experience, while Hydrasun builds a pipeline of skilled, motivated employees ready to contribute fresh ideas and innovation to benefit the local economy. David Whiles, Hydrasun operations manager( North of England), added:“ I’ ve always believed that a strong relationship between academia and engineering is key to the growth of a successful engineering business.
“ Through apprenticeships, scholarships, work placements or upskilling of qualified staff, Middlesbrough College has proven to be a trusted partner and an asset to Hydrasun in the development of our north of England operation.
“ Getting an early opportunity to mentor and direct young learners gives us the freedom to shape their skill set in line with new technology in target industries.”
Hydrasun’ s commitment to nurturing talent extends beyond work placements. It has previously taken on apprentices from Middlesbrough College and hopes to renew that pathway soon, further enhancing the local engineering workforce.
Through initiatives such as the Hydrasun Scholarship Programme – which offers selected students structured, paid work placements alongside mentorship and specialist training – the company is investing in the engineers of the future.
Apprentice Harvey Wood said:“ The Hydrasun Scholarship programme has been a game-changer for me. It gives me hands-on industry experience I wouldn’ t get at home, spending 15 hours a week learning every part of the business from people with years of expertise.
“ It’ s an incredible opportunity to connect what I’ m learning at college with real-world engineering, and it’ s helping me build the skills and confidence I need for a career in the industry.”
British Steel has also played a vital role in supporting Middlesbrough College students. Since February, the company has taken on 10 students a week, providing more than 170 placements to date – a scale of support that significantly boosts the college’ s ability to connect learners with meaningful industry experience.
To highlight the success of these partnerships, Middlesbrough College is planning a series of engaging social media videos showcasing Hydrasun’ s support model, aiming to inspire other local employers to join the effort in shaping the next generation of skilled professionals.
As Middlesbrough College continues to deepen its industry collaborations, it invites other businesses to explore how they can play a vital role in empowering local talent and securing the region’ s economic future.
If your organisation is interested in offering work experience, apprenticeships or commercial training opportunities, please get in touch with the Employer Services team at employerservices @ mbro. ac. uk or visit mbro. ac. uk / employers.
The voice of business in the Tees region | 41