TTE is boosting employment opportunities for young people on Teesside after experiencing a 20 per cent increase in demand for its international training programmes.
The registered charity recently welcomed its latest intake of 250 apprentices and study programme learners from across the Tees Valley – together with a number of international technicians – to its world-class training facilities in South Bank, Middlesbrough.
Local young people benefit from using the same specialist, industry-standard equipment required by the international technicians as both groups work towards gaining respected UK qualifications, competencies and best practice.
In the last four years TTE’s commercial arm has enjoyed a 20 per cent growth in the sales of training programmes to global industry, including such companies as Nigeria LNG, MODEC, and Atlantic Methanol.
This has allowed further surpluses from its commercial activities to be reinvested into improving the quality of learning and creating extra training places for young people on Teesside.
TTE has trained thousands of apprentices over the years through its study programmes and technical apprenticeship programmes, which provide the practical skills and vocational qualifications required to secure long-term careers in industry.
In addition, it is able to offer a unique and vibrant learning environment where apprentices train directly alongside technicians from such regions as West Africa and the Middle East.
On average, the international technicians spend six months at TTE on residential programmes where they gain experience in the extensive and realistic workshops and simulators before returning to apply their skills in their home countries
Local learners also benefit from the experience gained by TTE trainers who travel the world delivering technical training and upskilling courses for sectors including oil and gas, manufacturing and the process industry.
Its well-structured and “high quality” apprenticeships were praised and rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted in its latest inspection while last year apprentices achieved a 94 per cent success rate – far exceeding the average national pass rate.
In August, the Independent Schools Inspectorate concluded that TTE exceeds expectations in all areas for the quality of education it provides to students from across the world.
Steve Grant, Managing Director of TTE, said: “The international business has grown from strength to strength for many, many years and it is a fundamental part of the business model.
“All the surpluses that we make from the commercial business are used to subsidise the rest of the business which means we can train more young people and reduce our reliance on UK Government funding.
“The other advantage of international business is that our training staff travels to these countries and bring back the experience they gain which they then impart to the young people on Teesside – which makes it more interesting and provides a very diverse and vibrant atmosphere here at TTE.”