Region’s employers called on to take action this National Apprenticeship Week

Apprentices will build the future of our region’s economy – that’s the message from Northern Skills Group this National Apprenticeship Week.

And as part of the week-long celebration of apprentices taking place until February 13, the apprenticeship and training provider is calling on employers across the North East to consider taking on apprentices to help future-proof their business.

Through its work with Middlesbrough College and internationally renowned technical training provider TTE, Northern Skills Group is already working with more than 2,000 businesses who benefit from apprenticeship training – including a host of inward investors.

Global mining company Anglo American’s multi-billion-pound Woodsmith Project is setting a new global benchmark for sustainable, low-environmental impact mining, and its latest apprentices will be among the first in the world to pioneer this new method, driven by greater use of technology.

Gareth Edmunds, corporate relations director at Anglo American said: “The Woodsmith Project is being developed using the latest technology to be the envy of the global mining industry and we need to develop a highly-skilled local workforce to help us achieve that vision.

“Those people are going be at the forefront of Anglo American’s FutureSmart mining programme – deploying the latest cutting-edge technology to make mining as safe, efficient and sustainable as possible. Therefore, we need people with world-class technical engineering skills.

“Our apprentices split their time between TTE’s specialist workshop learning facilities and work-based training on-site.

“TTE’s team of expert consultants and tutors are delivering for us in spades and are constantly adapting and refining the programme to meet the requirements of the project.”

As well as its work with the international mining leader, Northern Skills Group is also the delivery training partner of choice for major employers across the region including the NHS, Sage and British Steel, to name a few.

Peter Donnelly, business development and commercial manager at Northern Skills Group, said: “We’re training people at the cutting edge of technology and knowledge, for careers in chemical and process, clean energy, digital, low carbon and hydrogen, engineering and advanced manufacturing, among others.

“Employers across the region come to us for apprentices who are workplace ready and can hit the ground running. This type of skill building – from the ground-up – can really benefit all parties as it adapts training to the needs of the business and builds loyalty amongst young staff.

“As the regional economy continues to recover from the impact of the last few years, there’s never been a better time to tap into this specialist apprenticeship training and our team are always on hand to offer advice or support to any employers interested in finding out more.”

Northern Skills Group works with businesses across the region to provide apprenticeships and employer-led training in accountancy, business administration, customer service, engineering and management, to name a few.

Its programmes are carried out in the workplace, meaning learners get proper hands-on experience, as well as online and in the specialist industry-leading training environment at Middlesbrough College – including its £20m STEM centre.

Northern Skills Group has trained more than 2,000 apprentices, putting it in a strong position to help shape the economic landscape of the region. For more information and advice on how your businesses could benefit from an apprentice, visit https://www.northernskills.co.uk/employers.