MIDDLESBROUGH College is helping to give former steel workers a bright new future thanks to a new partnership with North East energy provider, Future Energy Group.

Future Energy Group, based in Newcastle, has linked up with the college to retrain the former SSI staff as smart meter engineers.

The new partnership has already helped 20 former workers employed at the defunct Redcar plant gain new qualifications - and Future Energy Group is now securing jobs for the engineers.

The group have taken part in a six week training course to gain a Level 2 Diploma Smart Dual Fuel. It is hoped that the new partnership could help to retrain hundreds of engineers over the next few years.

Three candidates have already secured employment with firms and more are expected to land work in the coming months.

Zoe Lewis, Middlesbrough College principal and chief executive, said: ”We’re working hard to help thousands of former steelworkers retrain and gain employment. The closure of the site has affected so many families and we’re delighted that we’re able to help so many people start new careers in developing industries."

Former crane driver at SSI, Ian Park, recently took part in the training and said: “The training course has helped me get my confidence back and retrain in a new industry. I’ve just received a job offer with Gas Care Ltd so I’ll be starting work soon. It’s an exciting time.”

To date the College has helped to deliver more than 4,400 courses for former SSI workers. They include the qualifications required within the process, engineering, manufacturing, business, offshore, nuclear, driving and supply chain industries.