The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) has officially launched its new training centre in North Tyneside, dedicated to building skills in engineering and manufacturing. Based at Cobalt Park, MTC Training Tyneside is expected to support more than 40 apprentices in its first year, growing to over 100 a year as its training provision expands. Once fully established, the centre is expected to have around 300 learners enrolled on programmes at any one time.
Addressing skills shortages and youth unemployment
The launch comes at a time when the region is in the grip of a jobs crisis for young people, with the number of 16 to 24-year-olds from the North East who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) easily able to fill every single seat at St James’ Park, the NUFC home ground.
The North East is home to 663 active advanced manufacturing firms, yet around 59% of vacancies are hard to fill and more than 37% are linked to specific skills shortages, according to the North East Evidence Hub. Through apprenticeships and wider opportunities to upskill and reskill existing workforces, the centre will respond to the needs of local industry while helping develop the talent required to support ambitions for future industrial growth.
Local training for local industry
MTC, which already has an established presence in Coventry, Liverpool and Oxfordshire, says the new Tyneside centre will bring its training offer closer to North East businesses. Initial training programmes have been devised around feedback from North East employers, who identified a shortage of the skills and knowledge needed to work with increasingly complex equipment as manufacturing becomes more automated.
David Grailey, managing director of MTC Training, said: “The North East has a proud industrial heritage and is home to some of the UK’s most important manufacturing industries. Maintaining that strength means ensuring businesses have access to the skilled people they need to grow, adopt new technologies and remain competitive.
“MTC Training Tyneside allows us to respond directly to manufacturers in the region, developing skills locally and working with employers as their requirements evolve. In doing so, we can help businesses build their future workforce, support growth in the North East and strengthen the UK’s industrial capability.”
First apprentices start training
The first apprentices to train at the new centre include Molly, 23, and Layla, 19. Molly said: “I’ve always enjoyed the practical side of learning and understanding how things work. In my previous role at Amazon, I worked alongside engineers to help resolve problems, which gave me an insight into engineering and made me want to explore it as a career for myself.
“Having the opportunity to take that next step here in Tyneside is really important to me. Being able to access practical training locally and develop skills for a career in engineering is really exciting. I’m looking forward to getting started and seeing where it takes me.”
The Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell, MP for Tynemouth, added: “MTC brings experience and energy to such an important issue - making sure that people, particularly young people, have the skills they need for the future. After all, they are the future of our region.
“I hope this is part of a new chapter in the economic story of the North East, creating opportunities for local people to access good, well-paid jobs and supporting local manufacturers to build the advanced industries of the future. I wish MTC every success in its endeavours.”
The development of MTC Training Tyneside has been supported by Lloyds Banking Group.
