A landmark £1million training initiative to power our region’s transition to the industries of the future has officially begun, with the first cohort of trainees starting their journey through the Tees Valley Net Zero Industry Scholarship.
The Scholarship will train 141 individuals in high-demand roles including welding, instrumentation, pipefitting, electrical engineering, and civil operations, including 27 scholars following pathways in pipefitting and welding at Redcar and Cleveland College. It is an early output from the Tees Valley Regional Skills Consortium and financially supported by Net Zero Teesside Power and the Northern Endurance Partnership
Training is being delivered in partnership with leading local providers – the Education Training Collective (Etc.) through Redcar and Cleveland College and NETA Training, Middlesbrough College, Hartlepool College of Further Education, and Darlington College – supported by Teesworks Skills Academy, with training funded through the National 16-19 programme.
To mark the start of the scholarship, five welcome ceremonies have been held across the colleges this week, celebrating the first intake of trainees.
At each event, scholars were welcomed into the programme, met industry leaders, and received their branded personal protective equipment (PPE), symbolising their entry into the region’s industrial workforce.
At Redcar and Cleveland College, trainees were joined on Wednesday by Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Skills Consortium Chair Andy Brown and industry leaders including representatives from BP, Balfour Beatty and Technip Energies, who underlined the importance of skilled workers to the area’s future.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “This is an incredibly proud moment for Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool. The launch of the Industry Scholarship is more than just the start of a training programme – it’s the beginning of hundreds of careers that will help drive our region’s growth and support local people for generations to come.
“Seeing trainees receive their PPE was a powerful reminder of what we have worked for over the past 8 years - good quality jobs for local people, giving them the money to get on with their lives.
”Teessiders built the world once. And now we will do it again.”
Mark Lewis, NZT Power and NEP Construction Manager, added: “The scale of opportunity in the Tees Valley is immense, but so too is the demand for skilled workers.
“By working hand in hand with local colleges, we are ensuring that local people are equipped with the expertise needed to deliver Net Zero Teesside Power and the carbon capture and storage infrastructure of the Northern Endurance Partnership.
“The inauguration events showed the enthusiasm and dedication of the first group of trainees, and it’s clear they are ready to rise to the challenge.”
Leon is among the scholars now studying pipefitting at Redcar and Cleveland College.
The 16-year-old from Redcar, said: “I chose the scholarship as it seems a good opportunity for my future career, and it will help me to progress.
“Pipefitting sounded like something I would possibly be interested in, and so far the course has been great, and I can’t wait to learn more.
“It’s wonderful to hear about the developments coming to the area. For me, the scholarship is a great opportunity that secures my future and will lead to good jobs.”
Welding scholar Harris, 18, from Saltburn, added: “I applied for the scholarship as it is a different career path and opportunities like this don’t come around very often. I have always wanted to do welding but haven’t had the opportunity.
“It was great to be selected as with the qualifications we will now get from the course we could go on to get an apprenticeship or a full-time job.”
The scholarship provides £100 per week during term time to help trainees financially as they complete up to two years of training.
Graduates will leave with industry-recognised qualifications and practical experience, ensuring they are ready to play their part in multi-billion-pound clean energy projects across the Tees Valley.
The programme comes as industry in the region experiences unprecedented growth, with major investment in carbon capture, hydrogen and offshore wind and The Tees Valley Net Zero Industry Scholarship is ensuring that local people are first in line for the opportunities this growth will bring.
Original news release issued on behalf of Tees Valley Combined Authority.
Click here to find out more about engineering study opportunities at Redcar and Cleveland College or visit our open event on Thursday (16th October, 2025) from 5-7pm.
