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David Ditchburn was destined to be an engineer.

His father Dave founded and owned South Shields-based engineering firm Machining Techniques and, in his own words, he always ‘loved fixing and building things’ as a child.

David, 34, who is now technical sales manager at Aberlink, also in South Shields, could have stayed in education – he left his sixth form course after six months – but decided to take up an apprenticeship at the former Rolls Royce training centre in Scotswood Road.

That was 16 years ago.

And, although the financial crash of 2008 meant he initially went to work for his father, rather than being taken on by Rolls Royce – despite being apprentice of the year – he’s never looked back.

So when Charlotte Brass, Gateshead College’s curriculum leader for engineering apprenticeships and higher education, approached him about the prospect of Aberlink supporting higher technical qualifications (HTQs) and the next generation of engineers, he was immediately interested.

David says: “I joke about it, but we make measuring machines at Aberlink, and our section of the curriculum is quality control.

“The general idea is that they essentially measure products that are manufactured and tell you whether they’re good or bad, with really precise measurements.

“When I was an apprentice, on the quality control module, you just needed a picture sat next to one of those machines; they had no way to actually put it on the course and test whether you knew what you were doing with it.

“When I went to work for my dad, they bought a coordinate measuring machine, and I went on a training course to use it.

“I actually got a tick in the box and a certificate to qualify – and all I needed was a photo of me stood next to the machine.

“It’s almost embarrassing looking back now, but that’s how much things have changed.

“Now, through HTQs, you’re getting industry- specific training and you learn how to operate the machine straight away, as opposed to a two or three-year learning curve to becoming a quality control inspector.

“And I’m coming at this from a tiny section; there are so many different modules from every industry, and they are now industry-relevant courses.

“It doesn’t matter what module you’re doing, the industry specialists are giving the skills to students to roll straight out into industry.”

He adds: “I’m definitely feeling old – and I’m only 34 – but the difference is light years away.

“We’re using tools and machines that are being used across industry now, rather than 30 years ago.

“That is so valuable.”

The relationship between Aberlink and Gateshead College is very hands-on. Students and lecturers constantly spend time at the company’s South Shields base, which allows both parties to adapt and tailor the module to keep it updated.

David has hosted seminars, and naturally has a vested interest in future employees’ developments.

He describes it as a ‘breath of fresh air’.

David says: “The lecturers are actually really excited about it, because they’re getting assistance on how to teach the different modules.

“They’re just as excited as the students because they’re getting to work with the latest kit.

“The biggest thing with getting the apprentices involved in engineering at the minute – and I’m sure it’s the same for the different sections of the college – is the students are excited too.

“Through our partnership, they have access to our coordinate measuring machines and hands- on training with the same technology they’ll use in industry.

“They’re not just learning theory, they’re gaining hands-on experience.

“If students are told they’re going to use a machine they’re never going to see again in industry, they immediately switch off and don’t want to do the course.

“And on a broader scale, there’s a huge skills shortage, especially in engineering in the UK.

“I deal with distributors all over the world, and they’re all facing the same problems; there are very few people that know how to use the machines.

“It’s in employers’ best interests, because they’re getting highly-skilled staff straight out of college, so don’t need to put them through four more years of training.”

David believes the collaboration between Aberlink and Gateshead College sets the benchmark for how education and industry can work together.

He says: “Gateshead College isn’t just training students, it is doing an outstanding job of developing confident and capable engineers, who will help drive industry forward from day one.

“If you take on someone with a degree, they expect a higher level of pay, but they still have to go through the exact same training skills as apprentices.

“It’s different in different industries, but in manufacturing and engineering, that represents the vast majority of cases, so there’s no value in actually doing the degree, other than just getting yourself in debt.

“With HTQs, however, you’re getting specific skills in specific roles straight away, and in engineering and manufacturing, that is 100 per cent the case.

“When Charlotte reached out to me, I had no hesitation in getting involved.”