A COLLEGE is investing in new training facilities to try and ensure its students are ready for the construction and engineering jobs that could be created in Teesside as a result of HS2.

Middlesbrough College is investing in construction and engineering skills training to help hundreds of Teessiders to take advantage of the opportunities.

The college has a £20m STEM training centre to educate students in civil engineering, electrical engineering and construction management and is currently teaching more than 750 engineering and construction apprentices.

Zoe Lewis is principal and chief executive of Middlesbrough College Group – which includes Middlesbrough College, Northern Skills Group and TTE Technical UK.

She said: “We’re investing in the training facilities and course provision to make sure we’re offering a solution to the challenges the construction industry faces.

“We’re also building the skills needed to fulfil some of the country’s biggest infrastructure projects like HS2.

“We want people to know they can access industry-leading training here on Teesside – and we’ll continue to build on that reputation, providing skills and opportunities to benefit learners, workers and employees.”

Mike Emery, associate director of construction at Middlesbrough College, said: “We’re committed to helping construction and engineering employers access the high quality skills their workforce needs – and HS2 is a huge opportunity for Teesside which will be supported by Middlesbrough College.

“With industry leading facilities and expert tutors, many from industry backgrounds, we’re attracting ambitious learners from all over the North East and are seeing huge growth in student recruitment across our construction and engineering projects.

“Since acquiring TTE, we’re now training more than 750 engineering and construction apprentices – which demonstrates just how much of an impact the skills that are being engineered on Teesside will have on industry."

“We’re proud to be continuing to invest in our facilities and extending our course provision into areas such as civil engineering to meet industry demands.”