News Beat
Plans to bring NETA training to Thornaby take step forward
The new development will provide a state-of-the-art engineering training centre on Princeton Drive, placing it alongside Stockton Riverside College.
Team members marked the milestone with a steel-signing ceremony at the site.
Grant Glendinning, chief executive and group principal of the Education Training Collective (Etc.), said: “After years in the planning, it is incredible to see the centre taking shape in front of our eyes.
“The desire has long been there to equip NETA with facilities to truly match the passion and expertise of its instructors.
“Today those ambitions have become something very tangible with the two-storey structure we see today.”
NETA has provided industrial engineering training for the Tees Valley for more than 50 years and became part of the Etc. Group following its merger with Stockton Riverside College in 2015.
The Thornaby centre will offer hands-on training in welding, fabrication, electrical, mechanical, pipefitting, and both domestic and commercial gas.
It will support the Government’s national industrial strategy by preparing school leavers, apprentices and commercial delegates with the skills needed for modern industry.
The project is part of the Thornaby Town Deal, with £23.9m Town Deal funding to bring long-term change and investment to Thornaby.
Mark White CBE DL, chair of the Thornaby Town Deal Board and chair of the Stockton-on-Tees Strategic Education Board, said: “This is a very exciting day for the Town Deal Board.
“As the board’s chair, I am thrilled to be involved in milestones like this to celebrate an impressive flagship project of the Thornaby Town Deal that will help bring long-term economic growth to the town.”
The development was made possible by £4.5m of Town Deal funding, delivered in partnership with Stockton Council, with additional funding from the Department for Education and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Construction is being led by Britcon.
Nick Shepherd, managing director of Britcon, said: “The new NETA Training steel signing event marks another important milestone on one of our flagship regional projects.
“We are proud to be involved with this project, which is being delivered using the Britcon integrated delivery model.
“This combines the expertise of both our construction and steel businesses, to support high-quality and safe delivery, with collaboration key at all stages.
“A huge thank you to the Britcon team and supply chain for their commitment and professionalism, including facilitating student site visits to support live learning experiences.”
The facility is designed to equip the existing and future workforce with core industrial skills required for modern industry.
