The big clean-up of the former SSI site looks set to bring jobs to Teesside with plans to upskill a local workforce.
Redcar and Cleveland College, is working in partnership with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, the Department of Work and Pensions and Altrad Services to deliver free training for the decommissioning roles. Plus, the courses come with a guaranteed job interview.
Altrad Service’s Head of Workforce Development, Matthew Oates, said: “This is a local project that gives us the chance to employ and train up local people. Altrad has a strong presence in Teesside, so it is important that we put something back.”
Bringing some of the first jobs to the site since the SSI closure in 2015, Altrad aims to help some of those hardest hit back into work, with a particular focus on unemployed residents of the Tees Valley.
The intense three-week rolling training programme will equip people with the key skills they need to start work on site. And with jobs available, the first new recruits could be starting work in a matter of weeks.
Redcar and Cleveland College’s Group Head of Commercial Development Graeme Wood said: “Since the closure of SSI, this will be one of the first big projects that will see people working at the site. The repurposing of the land will make way for all of the future new developments.
“We have worked closely with Altrad to develop a programme to ensure the learners have all of the required skills for the jobs that will become available.”
By creating a job-ready workforce, he said: “It is not just Altrad that will get the benefit, local people will develop transferable skills significantly increasing their employment opportunities and providing a skilled workforce ready for future developments.”
Working with the Department of Work and Pensions, potential recruits are being identified via the Grangetown Training and Employment Hub run by Redcar and Cleveland Council and Job Centre Plus.
Margie Oliver, Business & Employment Growth Manager at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: “This employer-led training programme with guaranteed interviews for real jobs has already proven very attractive, with over 200 people booked on to information sessions. We are delighted to be a partner in this project, upskilling our residents for the opportunities the redevelopment of the former SSI site will deliver.”
The Routeway into Decommissioning training package will cover areas including the safety passport, an introduction to working at heights, confined spaces training, health and safety, manual handling as well as employability skills.
Redcar and Cleveland College’s Principal Jason Faulkner said: “This is a great moment for the people of Redcar and Cleveland and the wider Tees Valley. The start of the clean-up operations signals the start of what is hopefully going to be the rebirth of the SSI site, bringing with it many jobs. As the principal I am pleased the college is at the heart of the training and development for people who may wish to be trained and or upskilled to work on the site.”
Tees Valley Mayor and South Tees Development Corporation Chair Ben Houchen said: “A lot of the 4,500 acre site is clean and ready to go, but there are still challenging areas that need remediation. With support from local colleges, we’re making sure that local people get the training needed to access the jobs we’re creating. We’ve already seen some huge investor announcements, but we have more to come.”
For more details about the Routeway into Decommissioning training programme call the Grangetown Training and Employment Hub on 01642 459035.
