Member Article

South Tyneside College extends apprenticeship contract with Northumberland training provider

North East Training Solutions Ltd (NETS) in Cramlington has been awarded a substantial contract from South Tyneside College to provide apprenticeship training to 16-24 year olds north of the Tyne.

This is the second contract the College has given to NETS based on the training provider’s performance in 2013 with an 87.5% retention rate.

The new contract will see NETS deliver fully accredited and recognised vocational apprenticeships in Level 2 Multi-Craft Building Maintenance and Level 2 Plastering in its purpose-built workshops and classrooms at Bassington Industrial Estate in Cramlington.

NETS founder and managing director Michael Thompson said: “We are delighted to win a second contract with South Tyneside College. We’re a young company operating in a very competitive market place, yet we are already developing a strong reputation for delivering bespoke, high quality training that benefits students and employers in the region.

“Through our partnership with South Tyneside College we aim to train and seek employment for up to 50 apprentices this year. The college has a strong track record in delivering apprenticeship programmes across a wide range of vocational areas and is forward thinking in extending its provision north of the Tyne.”

Shirley Gelder, business development consultant at South Tyneside College, said: “Developing people through learning is at the heart of everything we do. As a local college, we obviously have a heavy focus on education both in South Tyneside and more widely across the North East through our education partners and employers.

“We had no hesitation in extending our contract with NETS. The facilities and quality of teaching are excellent. We want to grow as a college through quality partnerships and NETS is a great fit for us.”

NETS launched in February 2013 and currently employ 10 staff and two apprentices at its Cramlington HQ. The company offers vocational studies in joinery, plastering, bricklaying, painting and plumbing as well as NCFE (Northern Council for Further Education) qualifications in maths and English.

Local companies reaping the benefits of the partnership between NETS and South Tyneside College include Smailes Construction Ltd in Amble, The Homeforce in Wallsend, Lambert Plastering Services in Newcastle, T&D Handyman services in Tyne and Wear and Brunswick Building Maintenance.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Amy Maughan, Contributor .