Leading apprenticeship provider and industry charity JTL has officially opened its new Teesside Training Centre in Thornaby-on-Tees, expanding access to high-quality electrical apprenticeship training across the region.
The new centre was formally opened at a launch event attended by employers, industry stakeholders and local representatives, with Councillor Lisa Evans, Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and Tees Valley Combined Authority Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, officially opening the facility alongside Chris Claydon, Chief Executive of JTL.
Designed to meet the evolving needs of employers and support the UK’s transition to a low-carbon economy, JTL’s new Teesside centre will play an important role in strengthening the local skills pipeline. The centre will support electrical apprentices from across Teesside, the Tees Valley and the wider North East, helping businesses access the skilled workforce they need to grow.
As part of the launch event, JTL’s senior leadership and Councillor Evans hosted a roundtable discussion with local employers, including representatives from JBA Engineering, Quartz Electrical & Mechanical Services Ltd and Intelect. The discussion focused on how national and regional policy can better support apprenticeship training through incentives and simplification, as well as how to ensure that Tees Valley has the skilled workforce needed to deliver future infrastructure, housing and clean energy ambitions both in the short and long term.
The opening comes at a time of growing demand for skilled electricians and building services professionals, driven by the need to deliver new homes, upgrade infrastructure and accelerate the installation of low-carbon technologies. The current Tees Valley Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP)
identifies green energy, industrial decarbonisation and net zero as a key priority sectors, with skills needed both in the construction of specialist infrastructure and in the operational phase, including maintenance and new technologies.
The LSIP also highlights major regional demand linked to Teesworks, carbon capture, offshore wind, hydrogen and housing growth, alongside a significant increase in demand for construction and net zero/retrofit skills. All of which require competent electricians and the backing of regional employers.
JTL’s investment in modern training centres as an Independent Training Centre forms part of its wider commitment to delivering high-quality apprenticeships that respond to local, regional and national skills needs.
Councillor Lisa Evans, Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and Tees Valley Combined Authority Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “It was a pleasure to officially open JTL’s new Teesside Training Centre and to see first-hand the opportunities it will create for apprentices, employers and the wider region.
“High-quality technical training is vital to ensuring people can access rewarding careers while supporting local businesses with the skilled workforce they need. Facilities like this have an important role to play in helping the Tees Valley deliver its ambitions for economic growth, infrastructure and the transition to cleaner energy.”
Chris Claydon, Chief Executive of JTL, said: “The opening of our new Teesside Training Centre marks another important milestone in JTL’s continued expansion to meet industry demand. This facility represents a significant investment in skills for the region and will help us train high-calibre apprentices in electrical installation, supporting both local employers and the wider Tees Valley economy.
“Employers across the country are facing significant skills pressures, particularly in electrical installation and low-carbon technologies. Training of this quality that JTL provides is critical to helping close that gap, supporting businesses and giving more people access to rewarding careers in the building services engineering sector.
“We are proud to be investing in Teesside and to be working with local employers, regional stakeholders and our specialist delivery teams to ensure apprentices receive the high-quality training and support they need to succeed.”
Roosevelt Alexander, Head of Delivery North East at JTL, said: “JTL Teesside is a fantastic asset for apprentices, employers and the wider region. The centre has been purpose-built to provide a modern, high-quality learning environment, combining practical workshop space with fully equipped classrooms so apprentices can develop both the technical knowledge and hands-on skills required by industry.
“Our site-experienced tutors and dedicated Training Officers provide apprentices with personalised guidance, industry insight and continuous support throughout their programme. This combination of excellent facilities and expert teaching will help ensure learners are fully prepared for their assessments and for long-term success in the electrotechnical industry.”
The JTL Teesside Training Centre is now fully operational and partnering with apprentices and employers from across the region, supporting the development of a skilled electrical and low-carbon workforce to meet growing demand across the built environment and clean energy sectors.
