The Skills Support for the Workforce Programme has now supported almost 1,700 businesses and 6,000 employees since April 2019.

The programme draws to a close at the end of this month, having achieved its aims of driving significant financial growth and productivity of SMEs across the region through the provision of free, flexible skills training for hundreds of local businesses, including specialised courses across Teesside's priority sectors.

Following completion of the training, 95% of employers felt it had resulted in improvements in key areas of the business, with one reporting that profits had already doubled.

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The training was delivered by Caterdale College working in partnership with specialist local and regional training providers.

The SSW programme was co-financed by the European Social Fund with support from the Education and Skills Funding Agency and the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority.

Helen Howland, Head of the SSW programme in Tees Valley, said: “After four years of working closely with SME employers to understand their skills and training needs, we’re absolutely delighted with the feedback and results generated.”

“We want to say a special thank you to the specialist regional training providers who have worked with us throughout the process, without whose hard work and determination these fantastic results would not be possible”.

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Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, said: “Closing the skills gap right across our region is one of my top priorities – and this programme has gone a long way to give local people the skills they need to access jobs over the past four years.”

The SSW programme was co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF) - an EU established fund to help local areas stimulate economic development through skills and job creation. It included team working and vocational qualifications and technical skills support, as well as specialised courses across the region’s key priority sectors, including: Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, Digital, Construction and Energy.