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A group of 12 unemployed people from Teesside have taken the first steps to securing a job in the engineering construction industry after beginning a Trainee Maintenance Operative (TMO) Skills Bootcamp Programme.

The cohort, aged 19 and over, will gain recognised industry skills and accredited qualifications as part of a 16-week programme.

On successful completion of the programme at the end of June, a number of permanent roles will be guaranteed with Altrad Services on local sites.

The programme is a collaborative initiative, funded by Skills Bootcamps through Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority (TVCA), between NETA Training, part of the Education Training Collective (Etc.), the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), Altrad and local partners in the Teesside area. Delivery of the training is taking place at NETA’s Stockton branch.

The initiative is part of a wider programme of collaborative and co-funded partnerships to create a pipeline of new entrants to help address skills gaps in the engineering construction industry, with the ECITB’s Labour Forecasting Tool predicting a 28% increase in demand for workers by 2028.

The TMO scheme forms part of the ECITB’s Work Ready Programme, which is designed to tackle these industry skills shortages, as well as support individuals into employment. Further TMO programmes will launch throughout 2024 as part of partnerships in Pembrokeshire, Vale of Glamorgan, Hampshire and Cumbria.

Altrad combined forces with the Northern Competency Cluster, which included the ECITB, as a Skills Bootcamp helped nine trainees gain employment in Teesside last year.

ECITB Chief Executive Andrew Hockey said: “The Teesside pilot in 2023 was a big success in helping learners gain employment. It shows the real benefits of adopting a collaborative approach.

“The ECITB’s strategy, Leading Industry Learning, sets out our plans to grow new entrant pathways, like Work Ready, into the engineering construction industry.

“The programme in Teesside further demonstrates the steps the ECITB is taking to grow capacity within the industry and I wish learners the best of luck on their journey to securing jobs in engineering construction.”

Referrals for the programme came from the Department for Work & Pensions’ (DWP) Jobcentres, as well as candidates directly applying via online adverts and after an event took place at Stockton Employment and Training Hub.

Skills Bootcamps are fully funded for learners in England by the Department for Education, as part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee, and are delivered locally through partnerships.

The funding provides free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills to move into employment.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “There are massive career opportunities now available in the engineering construction industry as we bring world-leading projects to our area.

“But it’s essential we make sure everyone can take advantage of the new well-paid, high-quality jobs being created – which is why helping people gain the right skills is so important.

“Projects such as Skills Bootcamps ensure our local workforce can get the training they need to develop a successful career right here in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.”

As well as being introduced to skills related to health and safety, rigging and mechanical joint integrity, the programme also involves learners achieving a Level 2 Diploma in Performing Engineering Operations.

Sean Johnston, director at NETA Training, said: “Seeing learners progress into employment has got to be the ultimate success for us as a training provider working to deliver the skills to meet real industry demand.

“Following on from the success of the 2023 TVCA-funded Skills Bootcamp, we are pleased, working alongside Altrad, to now be able to offer this exciting opportunity to a further cohort of adult learners.”

Tony Jester, Executive Vice President of Operations at Altrad, added: “The Teesside pilot enabled trainees to acquire essential skills and knowledge, equipping them for roles within the engineering construction industry.

“The training provided not only fosters a more skilled and capable workforce, but also serves as a crucial stepping stone towards building a robust talent pipeline.

“This strategic initiative has not only met the immediate skills requirements of the industry, but has also positioned it for long-term success by cultivating a pool of skilled professionals.”

Donna Mulvihill, Head of Learning & Development at Altrad, said: “I am pleased that the programme’s triumph has prompted the expansion and replication of the model in other areas, underscoring its effectiveness as a scalable solution to address regional skills gaps and build a sustainable talent pipeline for the future.”