Education Training Collective named Clean Energy Technical Excellence College

The Education Training Collective (Etc.) has been named a Clean Energy Technical Excellence College by the Department for Education today.

One of just five Clean Energy TECs announced nationally, it puts the Teesside college group, which incorporates Bede Sixth Form College, Innersummit, NETA Training, Redcar and Cleveland College and Stockton Riverside College, at the forefront of clean energy and low carbon skills development.

This announcement is recognition of the group’s work to meet industry needs in the sector, tackle current and future worker shortages, and equip people with the skills to benefit from opportunities ahead.

Etc. chief executive and group principal Grant Glendinning

Grant Glendinning, Etc. Chief Executive Officer and Group Principal, said: “This is a fantastic acknowledgement of what has been a real targeted effort to prepare for the changes that are happening all around us, and ensure there is a pipeline of talent ready to meet demand.”

Central to all of this has been the development of the Clean Energy Education Hub at Redcar and Cleveland College, a £3.2m purpose-built industrial training facility, developed alongside employers, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, and made possible with Town Deal investment.

The Hub provides specialist facilities to support the likes of hydrogen, carbon capture usage and storage, electrical systems, and onshore/offshore wind training adding to core engineering construction disciplines such as electrical, mechanical, fabrication, welding and pipefitting.

Grant said: “By working closely with employers and industry leaders on such a forward-thinking project, this has established us as a training organisation which leads from the front and has been a catalyst for a host of further initiatives and ambitious developments.”

Launch of the first cohort of Tees Valley Net Zero Industry Scholars at Redcar and Cleveland College

Working with bp, Redcar and Cleveland College delivered 40 Teesside Clean Energy Technician Scholarships to school-leavers. This formed the basis for the Tees Valley Net Zero Industry Scholarship, now being delivered at colleges and providers across the Tees Valley – all part of the Tees Valley Regional Skills Consortium. The scholarship is financially supported by Net Zero Teesside Power and the Northern Endurance Partnership.

NETA opened the doors to its new £4.7m All Access Academy in Redcar, made possible through the Levelling Up partnership fund, and helping meet demand for critical scaffolding skills across wind, carbon capture usage and storage, hydrogen, nuclear and their infrastructure.

Artist's impression of the NETA-led All Access Academy in Redcar — Artist’s impression of the NETA-led All Access Academy in Redcar

Etc. is also the ECITB Regional Skills Hub for the Tees Valley, bringing providers together to meet skills needs with a cohesive approach.

As a Clean Energy Technical Excellence College (CETEC), the Etc. will now continue to build on its links with employers, industry leaders, further and higher education colleagues, to create even more life-changing opportunities for those starting out in their careers, the current workforce and those looking to retrain or upskill.

Capital investment will see the addition of further specialist employer-aligned facilities, equipment and resources, designed to support learners in relevant subject areas across the region and beyond.

“Collaboration is very much at the centre of the Technical Excellence College (TEC) programme, and that aligns perfectly with our ethos,” said Etc. chair of the governing board, Stuart Blackett.

“We are proud to have been given CETEC status and be in a position to share what we have learned with education colleagues, and to build on this to deliver a coherent regional clean energy curriculum framework aligned to Local Skills Improvement Plan and Skills England priorities.”

The TEC scheme operates on a “hub and spoke” model, encouraging colleges and training providers to work together to share best practices and facilities, with “strategic spokes” acting as leaders in their regions.

The Etc. CETEC will see the group partner with Newcastle College and Hull College as strategic spokes, and Teesside University’s Net Zero Innovation Centre as a strategic partner.

TECS were launched last year as part of government plans to invest in developing skilled workers for key priority sectors, with the first 10 in construction. Today saw the launch of 19 further TECs in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, digital and technologies, and defence.

The aim is to break down barriers to opportunity and deliver the “gold standard pathways” young people deserve, helping achieve the Prime Minister’s target for two thirds of young people to be in higher level learning by 25.

Welcoming the announcement today, Andrew Hockey, chief executive of the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) said: “The college has demonstrated sustained excellence in delivering high quality skills provision across key engineering construction disciplines including electrical, mechanical, fabrication, welding and pipefitting. These disciplines are critical to meeting the future workforce demands of largescale clean energy and infrastructure projects across the UK.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Our region is now firmly established as a global leader in green energy, from offshore wind to carbon capture – creating exceptional opportunities for local people to access high-quality, well-paid jobs.

“To fully realise this potential, it’s vital we equip our workforce with the right skills and support. This announcement strengthens our position as a centre of excellence for green energy training, ensuring workers from Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool can further drive our economy forward and share in its success.”

Announcing the TECs today, Skills Minister Jacqui Smith said: “The industries that will define Britain’s future – clean energy, advanced manufacturing, defence, digital – need a pipeline of highly skilled workers, and we’re building it.

“This investment in new Technical Excellence Colleges will give learners across England access to world-class training and a clear route into well-paid, rewarding careers. And because the best colleges will share their expertise with others, the whole country benefits.

“This is skills investment that works for learners, for employers, and for the regions driving growth across the country. They’ll deliver local jobs for local people, as well as growth for the whole of the country.”

College chief execs to join forces in Great Wall of China trek

College leaders Grant Glendinning and Zoe Lewis have never been ones to shy away from a challenge. And the latest is sure to test both to their limits.

Familiar faces to many across the Tees Valley, the chief executives are joining forces to tackle Daisy Chain’s Great Wall of China trek. While it’s not going to be easy, both are ready to put on brave faces as the training begins.

“I honestly can’t wait, the history the culture, the people, the walking, and really the whole experience,” said Middlesbrough College chief executive, Zoe. “I’ve completed many cycling challenges, both in the UK and abroad, but nothing as extensive – or as exciting – as this.”

The trek will follow a winding path along the Yan Mountains to the Gubeikou Gateway, tackling a series of vigorous inclines along the way.

For Grant, chief executive of the Education Training Collective, it is the chance to test his fitness on much more demanding terrain.

“I have no doubt it is going to be a challenge. I am aware it’s very hilly with lots of steep inclines,” he said. “It will certainly be a case of us all supporting each other along the way. I feel lucky and privileged to be in a position to be able to do this.”

Both CEOs are driven by a desire to raise awareness of autism and neurodiversity.

Raising vital funds for Daisy Chain, who support autistic and neurodivergent people and their families, Grant, said: “This is an area I feel very strongly about, informed by both personal connection and years of strategic leadership in the autism sector. I’ve seen first-hand how important the right support is for individuals and families, and I’m proud to be helping Daisy Chain continue delivering that impact.”

For Zoe this is a chance to fulfil a lifelong ambition, “all while supporting a charity that genuinely changes lives every day”.

With a fundraising target of £5000 each, the college leads will be part of a team of 10 Teesside business leaders heading to Beijing in October.

As colleagues in further education, Zoe and Grant welcomed the chance to take on the once in a lifetime trek together.

Zoe said: “Our colleges share so much common ground that I’m sure walking side by side will spark great conversations – and we’ll maybe even find some solutions to tricky local skills issues along the way.”

As for the training, she said: “Over the past few years, I’ve been steadily increasing my walking. I’ll be tackling the four flights of stairs at Middlesbrough College several times a day, all year, and I plan to make plenty of trips up and down Roseberry Topping in the month before the walk.”

Ready for training, Zoe Lewis and Grant Glendinning

Keen runner Grant, who heads up Bede Sixth Form College, NETA Training, Stockton Riverside College, Innersummit and Redcar and Cleveland, said: “I’ll be spending more time on my feet, strengthening the capillaries and my ankles, and making sure I have the right pair of boots!”

Despite both having competitive natures, they are putting that aside in favour of making it a real team effort and getting everyone over the finish line.

Zoe said: “As I get older, I’m far more focused on enjoying the experience. I’m hoping we all support each other and keep the group motivated.”

Grant added: “I am competitive when it comes to sport but only with myself, always pushing for a personal best. I’m much more of a team player when it comes to things like this. The priority is the experience, the journey, everyone having an enjoyable time, and raising vital awareness and funds.”

Daisy Chain chief executive Neeraj Sharma said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone taking part in the Great Wall challenge. It is fantastic to see leaders such as Grant and Zoe stepping forward alongside others to support Daisy Chain in this way. Their commitment will help us continue delivering vital support for autistic and neurodivergent people and their families across the North, at a time when demand for those services has never been greater.”

You can sponsor Grant or Zoe on their fundraising pages here. All funds raised through the challenge will directly support Daisy Chain’s frontline services.

Putting the structure in place to build future skills

The Education Training Collective (Etc.) is proud to be a “strategic spoke” in ambitious new government plans to train 40,000 new construction learners by 2029.

Central to the government’s Plan for Change, 10 Construction Technical Excellence Colleges (CTECs) have been announced across the country, backed by £100m of investment, to meet demand in sectors such as housebuilding, engineering construction and green energy.

Operating on a ‘hub and spoke’ model, the newly designated CTECs will work with employers and training providers, to help address construction skill shortages and raise industry standards. This additional homegrown skilled workforce will be pivotal to the government’s aim to deliver 1.5m new homes and critical infrastructure, like schools and hospitals.

As a strategic spoke in the North East CTEC, led by Sunderland College, the Etc. (which includes NETA Training, Redcar and Cleveland College and Stockton Riverside College), will support by leading on specialist scaffolding training.

Etc. chief executive and group principal, Grant Glendinning, said: “We are proud to be working alongside colleagues from Sunderland College, part of Education Partnership North East (EPNE) and our fellow North East CTEC strategic spoke partners, to deliver skills that are clearly needed, as part of this national initiative that has the potential and backing behind it, to ultimately lead to quality, well paid jobs, for our learners.”

The Teesside-based college group already has a well-established strategic skills partnership with EPNE, aligned to support Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) across the North East, the Tees Valley and North of Tyne areas.

Grant said: “This has the foundations to be another example of colleges and providers working together for the greater benefit of our learners, our communities and wider regions. It is about looking beyond our own colleges’ four walls and collaborating to ensure individual areas of expertise are utilised in the best possible way, to maximise wider impact, plug skills gaps and ultimately grow and support our economy locally, regionally and nationally.”

The North East CTEC will be based at the Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy, managed by Sunderland College. Learners across the region will benefit from enhanced skills provision and access to specialist training.

Etc.’s focus on scaffolding training as part of the North East CTEC model coincides with the completion of its new NETA-led All Access Academy. The new £4.7m centre, complete with three purpose-built scaffolding training areas situated at Redcar and Cleveland College, was made possible by the government’s Levelling Up funding.

Stuart Blackett, chair of the Etc. governing board, said: “Collaboration is an integral part of our work here at the Etc., and indeed as part of the further education sector. As a strategic partner of the North East CTEC, we are looking forward to seeing individual areas of expertise brought together to help shape the future workforce and opportunities afforded to those entering the construction industry.”

Strategic education partners of the North East CTEC are: the Education Training Collective (incorporating NETA Training, Redcar and Cleveland College and Stockton Riverside College), Derwentside College, East Durham College, Hartlepool Sixth Form College, Northumberland College, Sunderland College and Tyne Coast College.

Popular Etc. CFO, Fiona Sharp, retires after 26 years

Mild mannered but with a fierce head for numbers, Fiona Sharp is retiring after 26 years with the colleges that now make up the Education Training Collective (Etc.).

As chief financial officer, hers is a face that will be familiar to many after almost three decades helping balance the books, first as a part-time finance officer at what was then believed to be the smallest sixth form college in the country. Today she heads up the finances for the group that incorporates four Outstanding Tees Valley colleges.

“It is both scary and exciting to be stepping away, and there’s more than a little sadness,” said the Billingham mum who has built her life’s career around a passion for numbers.

Yet, counting the years since she started at Bede Sixth Form College, still takes Fiona by surprise. But, as she knows, the numbers don’t lie.

“It was by complete chance I spotted a job advert in The Gazette for the role at Bede,” she said.

Having previously worked at Halifax Building Society and Cleveland County Council, followed by some part-time roles after the birth of her son, Tom, she explained that working in education finance was something new and she was quickly hooked.

“I loved the cyclical nature of the academic year, but no two years, or even two days, are ever the same. Then there is that feeling of being part of the college community and making a difference to students’ lives.”

In those days Bede was an old building situated on Hale Road, Billingham. And, despite a fondness for her tiny office, often referred to as “the cupboard”, Fiona can’t deny it had seen better days.

In 2008 a merger with Stockton Riverside College was instrumental to securing funding for the “new Bede”, the multistorey state-of-the-art facility on Marsh House Avenue it is today.

By then a full-time finance manager, keeping on top of the numbers catapulted Fiona into the group’s senior leadership team.

Since then, she has seen many more changes, not least navigating the group’s finances through further mergers and acquisitions with NETA Training, Redcar and Cleveland College, and Innersummit in Gateshead, all becoming part of the group, but each maintaining their individual identities.

Looking back, she said: “It is something to be proud of.” But, up until her impending retirement, she added: “You don’t tend to sit back, reflect, and think of it like that.”

In 26 years, it’s fair to say, she has packed a lot into her career and built friendships that are more like a second family.

But now, after relocating to Northumberland, Fiona and her husband, Les, are looking forward to more time for country walks, playing their part in the community, and with plenty still to offer, perhaps some volunteering.

Born and bred in Billingham, Fiona said: “The Etc. has been a huge part of my life. It was always going to take something big to pull me away and perhaps the move to Northumberland has made it a little easier.”

Leaving the college group just months after it was graded Ofsted Outstanding feels like a happy coincidence.

One thing is for sure; Fiona will always hold on to her passion and pride for the college group and its continued success. You can count on that!

Making Time for Tees!

From filling and dishing out hay bags to litter picking and even repainting the stage at Stockton Globe, college staff have been out in the community making Time for Tees.

The annual event, launched by the Education Training Collective (Etc.), urges staff to take time out from the day job to give practical help to good causes.

“This is our way of hopefully making a real hands-on difference in our local communities, by taking a day to help out in whatever way we can, and do something completely different to the day job,” said Etc. chief executive and group principal Grant Glendinning.

This summer, for Etc. staff that included cleaning up after and caring for the horses at the RDA Unicorn Centre in Hemlington, gardening and maintenance work at True Lovers Walk in Yarm, cutting back branches at Kirkleatham Woods, scrubbing the fencing at Stockton Rugby Club, and a whole host of maintenance jobs at The Chris Cave Foundation Cavey’s Cabin.

Volunteers helped sort donations at the Daisy Chain Charity Megastore and Billingham and Stockton Borough Foodbank, and litter pickers were out in force at Seaton Carew, the Tees Barrage and in Low Grange, Billingham.

Not afraid to muck in, the college group saw a team helping at Daisy Chain in Norton, volunteers marshalled at the Albert Park Run, a fundraising dog walk brought in donations for Maxi’s Mates, while others painted the stage at Stockton Globe.

The Etc. incorporates Bede Sixth Form College, Innersummit, NETA Training, Redcar and Cleveland College and Stockton Riverside College.

More than 200 staff gave their time to around 18 projects across the Tees Valley.

Among them, seven volunteers rolled up their sleeves for The Chris Cave Foundation, a charity set up to deter young people from carrying a knife or gun, raising awareness of the dangers to help prevent street violence.

The Etc. staff repainted the cabin, pulled up weeds, laid bags of bark, and helped with odd jobs around Cavey’s Cabin, a community space in Locke Park, Redcar, where families can take part in a host of organised activities together to support their physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.

Theresa Cave, founder and chief executive of The Chris Cave Foundation, said: “As always, the Etc. team did such a fantastic job at Cavey’s Cabin. It was overgrown with weeds and had graffiti on the walls and the team worked so hard painting, weeding and laying the new bark, it looks beautiful. I am so grateful to the team who gave up a lovely sunny day to help us.”

Two further teams spent the day at the Unicorn Centre, a member group of the Riding for the Disabled Association, where they mucked in with the care of the horses, both cleaning up and serving up hay bags for lunch.

Etc. business development officer, Samantha Colman, who is also a trustee at the Unicorn Centre said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Education Training Collective for their recent support. Their volunteers have made a real difference, helping us continue to provide life-changing experiences for our riders and their families.

“As a small charity relying on donations and volunteer help, this kind of kindness is vital. We truly couldn’t do what we do without it.”

Meanwhile staff lent a helping hand to Friends of True Lovers Walk in Yarm, preparing and staining benches, clearing debris and overgrown areas of Yarm Wharf and the riverside pathway.

Friends of True Lovers Walk’s Melanie Farman said: “We were delighted to welcome two teams of staff from Etc. as part of the Time for Tees initiative. The volunteers worked extremely hard and were very enthusiastic on both days, day two being particularly challenging as temperatures peaked at around 30 degrees.

“Having community volunteers come and work with us means we can carry out a significant amount of work that might normally take us a few days. The teams really gave us 100%. A huge thank you to all, we appreciated you and your time.”