New images of how the Teesworks Skills Academy building could look have been revealed as planning permission was today (22 October) submitted for the site.

The facility will support the work of the Teesworks Skills Academy, launched by Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and delivered by Darlington College, Hartlepool College of Further Education, Learning Curve Group, Middlesbrough College Group, NETA Training Group, Redcar & Cleveland College, Stockton Riverside College and Teesside University to help local people take advantage of job opportunities being made available at the Teesworks site.

The £2.1million development is being delivered by UK contractor Graham, which recently rolled on to site to also start work on the deep-water heavy-lift South Bank Quay to support ambitions to become the UK’s premier offshore wind hub.

The two-floor, 5,400sq ft academy will include three classrooms, plus office space and meeting and interview rooms will be used to house the Teesworks Skills Academy team as well as a base for hotdesking for companies looking to come on site, internal training events, information sessions, networking and more.

The majority of the construction will take place in January ahead of its opening in March 2022. It will be based in the Dorman Point area of Teesworks, with access to the building being unlocked via the Eston Road roundabout currently being built close by.

To date, the Academy has had around 3,760 enquiries, leading to more than 1,532 people registering with their CVs and almost 500 people undergoing training.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “The redevelopment of the Teesworks site is creating thousands of good-quality well paid jobs and putting Teesside at the heart of the Government’s plans for the UK to be net zero by 2050. With so many jobs being created it’s essential that local workers have the skills needed to take advantage of the opportunities and that’s where the Teesworks Academy comes in.

“The Academy has been working hard, even throughout the coronavirus pandemic, helping to connect hundreds of people with roles, or help them gain the skills they need to go on to secure the jobs we’re creating now and will continue to create on the Teesworks site.

“This is the next step in helping people from across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool by giving them facilities in which they can learn, meet advisors and access in-person support as people begin to meet face-to-face once again.

“Alongside all the demolition work, we’re beginning to build the site up, with work beginning on our new heavy lift quay and our Eston Road roundabout progressing nicely. Soon the Teesworks Skills Academy will be the next project we’ll be breaking ground on as we continue our transformative Teesworks redevelopment.”

Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council Mary Lanigan said: “This is a vital step to ensure people in our borough are able to access the quality jobs that are being created, and which they deserve. The level of uptake is fantastic. People want opportunities but, also, to be provided with the means to actually grasp them – which is exactly what this facility is enabling.”

Teesworks Skills Academy Manager Graeme Wood said: “The academy has gone from strength to strength over the past year and we have built a number of strong relationships with the businesses based on the Teesworks site, which has led to much support for the people of the Tees Valley. The new, on-site, building will enable company representatives to walk in and access support for their needs, quickly and effectively. It will also see the delivery team situated in the thick of developments as they start and progress on the site. This is a very exciting time for the Tees Valley and among the delivery partners there is a real sense of pride in being part of this.”