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Job success for students at NETA Training has helped to bring further opportunities for aspiring young Teesside engineers.

The Stockton-based training centre has been named one of just 10 providers across England and Wales selected to deliver the latest round of an industry-backed training course, helping tackle the drop in apprenticeships offered across the country.

Now committing to support an additional 120 young people nationally through the Introduction to Engineering Construction (ITEC) programme, the ECITB has allocated a further 12 places to NETA.

Chris Claydon, Chief Executive of the ECITB, said: “The success of the ECITB’s ITEC programme means we are able to equip more and more learners with the skills and knowledge to make the first steps toward rewarding careers in the engineering construction industry.

“The demand for new recruits to the engineering construction workforce is set to rise significantly over the next decade and the ITEC will help to fill that skills gap. In the North East, NETA Training will help the new cohort of talented young people to achieve most of the year one components of a formal apprenticeship and, on completion of the programme, make them very attractive to potential employers.”

NETA’s Head of Department David Laycock, said: “To be chosen as a delivery partner for the second year running is recognition of the quality of the training and the success of our students so far.”

He explained: “The aim of the course is to help build the skills of budding young engineers by focusing on industry-relevant training and put them in touch with the employers that have apprenticeship vacancies available.”

Students selected to take part in the ECITB-backed programme receive 10 months of training, recognised industry qualifications and a Health and Safety Passport (CCNSG).

Work experience is also a key part of the course increasing students’ hands-on skills and their understanding of the real working environment.

David said: “This joint approach, bringing together the training provider, the ECITB and employers to help maximise students’ learning, ensures skills taught are those in demand by industry, increasing their chances of moving on to a full apprenticeship.”

It is a formula that has certainly worked for NETA student Ben. The 17-year-old from Thornaby has been snapped up by North-east engineering company K Home International Ltd while studying the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) ITEC qualification.

Ben said: “The ITEC programme sounded like a great opportunity as you get the qualification and it increases your chances of getting an apprenticeship.”

Starting work next month, he added: “I am looking forward to getting started.”

K Home International Ltd’s Manager of Engineering, Amanda McMahon, said: “K Home International Ltd has always been committed to apprenticeships and we are delighted that Ben is joining the company this summer to help our ongoing development of home grown talent.”

Also studying at NETA, David, 17, was among the first ITEC students nationally to get an apprenticeship job offer just weeks into the course.

David, who is moving on to a mechanical engineering apprenticeship with PD Ports, said: “The ITEC course offered the opportunity to have a go at a variety of different engineering roles. I didn’t expect to get an apprenticeship so quickly.”
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