NETA builds futures with new £14.7 million facility

A training provider is building a new engineering centre to boost skills and support industrial growth.

Construction is now underway on a “state-of-the-art” £14.7 million NETA Training facility in Thornaby, designed to equip students for careers in engineering and construction.

The two-storey centre is a major part of Thornaby’s £23.9 million Town Deal and has received £4.5 million in funding via the Town Deal Fund, supported by the Department for Education and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Led by the Thornaby Town Deal Board and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, officials say the project aims to bring long-term investment and opportunity to the area.

They add that it aligns with the Government’s National Industrial Strategy, with a strong focus on energy, infrastructure and workforce development.

Mark White CBE DL, chair of Thornaby Town Deal Board, said: “I am delighted that work on this innovative project has begun. 

“The new, state-of-the-art facility will help realise the Town Deal Board’s aspirations to bring long-term economic growth to the town.

“Bringing a campus of such scale and significance to its new home in Thornaby-on-Tees is testament to the scale of ambition for the Town Deal interventions and the hard work of the Town Deal Board.

“I am looking forward to seeing the work progress and seeing the fantastic spaces that will be on offer for up-and-coming engineers.”

The centre will be located alongside Stockton Riverside College and will deliver hands-on training for school leavers, apprentices and industry professionals.

Facilities will include vocational workshops for welding, fabrication, mechanical, electrical, and gas engineering – supporting both domestic and commercial sectors.

Sean Johnston, NETA director, added: “This is the start of an incredible opportunity that will bring together NETA’s expertise and history of delivering engineering and construction training in the Tees Valley, with brand-new facilities.

“The industrial landscape is changing and at NETA we intend to be a part of the solution that enables both the existing and upcoming workforce in the Tees Valley to benefit from the opportunities this brings.”

NETA Training is part of the Education Training Collective (Etc.), which also runs Stockton Riverside College and Redcar and Cleveland College, home to the All Access Academy delivering specialist training in scaffolding, rope access and rigging and lifting training.

Grant Glendinning, chief executive and group principal of Etc., added: “We are pleased that with the support of the Thornaby Town Deal Board and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, the Education Training Collective has been able to play a pivotal role in bringing further investment to Thornaby.

“Such projects put the spotlight on our part of the region and the level of talent and drive that exists here.  

“After 50 years delivering knowledge and expertise to industry professionals, and those starting out in their field, NETA Training will once again have facilities that match the calibre of its training.

“Through the new development in Thornaby, our aim is to equip people in the Tees Valley with the engineering and construction skills to find meaningful quality employment, meet the demands of growth sectors and at the same time showcase the region at its very best to the delegates and employers we work with from across the UK and beyond.”

Grant Glendinning, left, and Mark White CBE DL, break ground on the new training facility

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