I N DU S TRY
Mayor becomes
apprentice for the day
Apprentice Harry Tranter oversees
Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen in
the workshop at Tees Components
A
longside investments in its
facilities, Tees Components
is also dedicated to
developing the skills
and capabilities of its workforce,
particularly through its investment in
apprenticeships.
The firm recognises the value of
practical training, with 40 per cent
of its skilled workforce and much of
its management team starting out
as apprentices. This was highlighted
most recently during National
Apprenticeship Week, which saw
the company support a number of
initiatives to promote vocational
training.
Most notably, Tees Components
hosted Tees Valley mayor Ben
Houchen, who spent a day as
an apprentice with the company.
Coinciding with the launch of the
Tees Valley Combined Authority’s
new apprenticeship funding, the
mayor picked up some new skills and
knowledge working alongside Tees
Components’ experienced team and
current apprentices.
Mr Houchen said: “I wanted to see
what it was like for an apprentice on
their first day. They have some great
apprentices at Tees Components
and they really put me through my
paces. The skills and experiences
they are gaining will be invaluable
to their future careers, and that’s
what apprenticeships are all about,
providing a practical route into jobs
with great local companies like Tees
Components.”
During his time at Tees
Components the mayor spent time in
its recently opened Bolckow training
facility. Featuring STEM-standard
equipment, the facility has seven
training stations including manual and
CNC lathe turning, manual and CNC
milling, surface grinding and bench
work, as it continues to increase the
number of apprentices it recruits
each year as well as supporting the
upskilling of its existing workforce.
The introduction of the facility
follows the company’s highest-ever
spend on the upskilling of its staff.
To ensure all personnel have the
opportunity to develop their skills
base, the company has provided
additional training in areas such as 3D
CAD CAM software, ILM leadership
qualifications, ICT, IOSH and NEBOSH
safety training and mental health first
aid.
Recruitment is also currently
underway for its next intake of
apprentices, with up to four places
available for its four-year advanced
manufacturing apprenticeship. Part
of Tees Components’ multi-award-
winning training schemes, the
apprenticeship programme is being
run in partnership with Middlesbrough
College’s Northern Skills Group and
TTE Technical.
Sharon Lane, managing
director of Tees Components,
said: “Apprenticeships are the
backbone of our business and
essential in maintaining the high
levels of expertise we provide to
our customers. It was great to have
the mayor take the time to gain an
insight into life as an apprentice and
demonstrate to other employers how
important they are to the future of
our economy.
“We’re really proud to be able
to offer more apprenticeship places
this year and create opportunities
for local young people to take
the first steps into a rewarding
career in industry. Working in
partnership with Middlesbrough
College and its commercial training
divisions, we have devised a proven
apprenticeship programme, which is
of huge benefit to both the business
and our apprentices.”
Applications for the apprenticeship
places can be sent to sales@
teescomponents.co.uk
The voice of business in the Tees region | 87