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Celebration as Tees Valley apprentices graduate

The Tees Valley Production Technician Awards are celebrating the success of 15 young apprentices who have graduated this year and moved into permanent employment.

James Carr, from Middlesbrough, sponsored by SABIC, was named as the Best Overall Apprentice, and runners up were Lucite International sponsored students Michael Ball, from Stockon, and Daniel Wray from Billingham.

Also acknowledged at the ceremony at Middlesbrough Training and Learning Centre were a number of apprentices who were half way through their training, along with some who were just starting.

Almost £8m has been spent by the nine sponsoring companies on training and developing the plant operators and engineers of the future in the eight-year history of the TVPT apprenticeships.

The programme aims to equip students with essential skills required to contribute to the ongoing success of the process industry, and since it’s inception 120 graduates have so far gone on to find permanent employment.

Trainees start off with two years initial training through the TTE Technical Training Group’s centre in South Bank and Redcar and Cleveland College followed by two years on plant with their sponsoring companies.

Designed to meet the constantly developing standards required by process sector employers, the programme provides students with a range of qualifications including City & Guilds 0603 Process Technology (Chemical) and an NVQ3 in Process Plant Operations, and the opportunity to progress to an HNC.

George Richie, Senior Vice President for Sembcorp Utilities UK and one of the founders of the TVPT programme, said: “When people say there are no opportunities for young people these days you just have to point to these youngsters, the success of TVPT scheme and the commitment of the firms behind it.

“Programmes like this cost companies a lot of money, but even though some are struggling in the current difficult economic climate, they are still spending heavily and contributing greatly to apprentice development in the region.

“I am very proud to see the sheer talent that we have developed on this course over the years. Many of the graduates, both male and female are making significant career progress and this group will be no different.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .