This Is Tees Valley This Is Tees Valley - Issue 1 2020 | Page 45

Opportunities - Emily Clark, an
apprentice civil engineer with PD Ports.
How people power
can create wave of
new skills
THE
TIDE
P
D Ports CEO Frans Calje is a firm
believer that whilst technology has an
important role to play in the evolution
of the maritime sector, it is the people who
will create the sector’s legacy - and skilled,
driven and committed people is one of the
Tees Valley’s greatest assets.
“The Tees Valley has a rich heritage of
skilled labour and there is a real appetite
across the region to invigorate industry and
see greater investment,” he says. “In our
own business, we have invested heavily in
our workforce as we believe skilled people
who are empowered to make decisions and
challenge the norm will be the base for our
future success.”
PD Ports works very closely with local
educational institutions and industry
partners as well as the Tees Valley mayor and
combined authority to ensure together they
understand the future workforce needs and
work collectively to deliver the very best of
talent.
In the Tees Valley, the port operator plays
an integral role in attracting and retaining
talent and in recent years has taken a
lead role in shaping the next generation
through its co-founded charity, High Tide
Foundation, and the Tees Valley Logistics
Academy.
Launched in 2012, the High Tide
Foundation aims to inspire young people
aged 12-18 to build a career in the maritime
industry and its vital support sectors whilst
demonstrating the depth and breadth of
roles.
“Through meaningful and engaging
experiences with key industry partners,
we want to unveil our ‘hidden’ industry,”
explains Kirsten Donkin, PD Ports’ head of
PR, marketing and communications.
“The stark reality is that unless they have
IS HIGH
a family member in the industry, a career
in maritime doesn’t feature on the radar of
young people.
“When they think of maritime and
logistics, most young people think of a crane
operator, a heavy goods vehicle driver or an
engineer. They are preconditioned to think
the opportunities are limited, with little
diversity.
Challenging perceptions -
Kirsten Donkin.
“Through meaningful and
engaging experiences with
key industry partners, we
want to unveil our ‘hidden’
industry”
“We are challenged by a negative
perception of what the industry has to offer.
By the very nature of what we do, we sit on
the edge of communities and go unnoticed,
despite the significant role we play in daily
life. This is why we need to work together
with schools, young people, parents and
industry to shout about what’s on offer.”
In 2020 the High Tide Foundation
joined forces with the Tees Valley Logistics
Academy to further drive demand for future
careers in logistics in the region.
Both organisations work in partnership
with businesses across Middlesbrough,
Darlington, Stockton, Redcar, Hartlepool
Teesport Explorers - getting
a glimpse of a future career.
and beyond to raise awareness of career and
training opportunities for young people in
the North-East, reducing the risk of lost
talent.
The Foundation and Academy will work
to develop and deliver programmes to
sit alongside High Tide’s other activities,
including a port-to-port visit, that shows
young people the links between Teesport and
Rotterdam, and cadetships in the shipping
and automotive sectors.
In 2019, PD Ports hosted the official
launch of the North East School of
Shipping. In partnership with Stockton
Riverside College, the Institute of Chartered
Shipbrokers has created the first dedicated
shipping school outside of London on the
banks of the Tees.
The school aims to tackle current and
future skills gaps and develop a skilled
workforce to support the growth of the
maritime sector.
And Tees Valley children as young as
five have been given a glimpse of their
potential careers during trips around the
port. Teesport Explorers is designed to open
the eyes of the youngest schoolchildren,
showcase the everyday activities that take
place there, give them a chance to learn
about the different jobs and meet the people
who make it all happen.
With the North-East consistently taking
the title of the UK’s leading net exporting
region, PD Ports believes the region has a
collective responsibility to ensure there is
a diverse and skilled workforce to support
future economic growth.
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