Ofsted praise for expert Teesside trainers

INSPECTORS have praised expert staff at training provider TTE (@TTETrainingLtd) for giving trainees the skills to deliver Teesside’s major regeneration projects. 

A recent Ofsted monitoring visit of the Middlesbrough-headquartered training provider with international reach marked out TTE’s work with prestigious, multi-national employers to deliver high quality engineering skills where there are shortages.

The report noted that skills coming from TTE – part of the Middlesbrough College Group – underpin much of the widespread regeneration that has generated such momentum across Teesside and surrounding area. 

As an example, Ofsted singled out work with international mining company Anglo American to provide skilled apprentices for its multi-billion pound mine, The Woodsmith Project.

Gareth Edmunds, corporate relations director at Anglo American said: “The Woodsmith Project is being developed using the latest technology to be the envy of the global mining industry and we need to develop a highly skilled local workforce to help us achieve that vision. 

“We’re excited to be working with locally-based TTE and its expert team to help us do that and to build a workforce fit for the 21st century.”

Inspectors said that “highly trained staff who are experts in the subjects they teach” work with apprentices to meet the exact needs of employers and instil pride in their work.

John Cooke, training operations manager at TTE, said: “We’re really proud that TTE’s commitment to high quality apprenticeship training has been recognised by Ofsted, along with the important role we’re playing in supporting the major projects driving the exciting future of our area.

“Our staff have come from industry, and many have worked around the world on some of the most high profile and challenging engineering projects. To have that expertise available on Teesside, for apprentices to absorb is fantastic.” 

TTE provides apprenticeship training across a range of specialised engineering disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, process, wind energy and laboratory programmes.

John added: “We’re ambitious for our learners and for the role we play in our area’s economic growth.

“From mining, to manufacturing, to renewable energy generation – there are a whole host of sectors that represent exciting growth opportunities for businesses and for trainees.

“As the training partner of choice for employers, we’ve got a duty to make sure our programmes support commercial objectives and create a sustainable workforce that will help them thrive.”Inspectors said TTE had established a culture of high standards and expectations that led to positive outcomes for apprentices, in some cases employers offering apprentices the opportunity to study higher level qualifications.

Tutors were said to provide apprentices with “well-considered advice and guidance about career progression within the engineering industry.”

The report noted: “Leaders and managers have developed an extensive range of high-quality engineering apprenticeships. They work closely with prestigious, multinational employers to provide a bespoke specialist curriculum which prepares apprentices to work in those companies. Employers and apprentices respect and value the high-quality training that TTE provides.”