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Tees Valley Mayor endorses state-of-the-art training centre that will support careers in industry

(L-R) Total Solutions directors Kevin McAskill and Mick Flaherty

A state-of-the-art training centre has been launched in Stockton that will support workers’ access to careers in industry.

Total Solutions, a leading provider of rope access services to several sectors, has opened a multi-purpose training facility at its headquarters on Arkgrove Industrial Estate to create pathways to employment for young people leaving education, the unemployed or adults seeking new opportunities.

The centre has been designed with unique steel structures, built on more than 35 years’ industry experience that delivers unique training courses, including rope access, fire awareness, working at height rescue and oil & chemical spillage management.

Accredited by the Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA), Total Solutions’ training facilities equip learners with the necessary skills through its pre-rigged rope access system, with instructors and assessors teaching various basic and rescue techniques.


Total Solutions, which has achieved more than 30% revenue growth year-on-year, has already secured several strategic partnerships with commercial organisations and education institutions to support the training centre’s aims of unemployment redevelopment, adult education and the delivery of up-skilling programmes.

The creation of the training facility was made possible through support provided by the Tees Valley Business Compass, which helped Total Solutions secure funding that accelerated the project earlier than forecasted.

Mick Flaherty, Managing Director of Total Solutions, said: “We are delighted to have launched our training centre, which will continue to support the up-skilling of people in industry, multiple sectors as well as many supply chain companies.

“Our facilities and expertise are able to deliver comprehensive and accredited training solutions that are built on more than 35 years’ experience. This continued investment in our infrastructure has enhanced our service range, which will support our growth.”

Mick added: “We are grateful to the Tees Valley Business Compass for its continued support, which has allowed us to proceed with this enterprise a lot earlier than expected. The company is committed to supporting the technical training of people in the Tees Valley and beyond, which will hopefully contribute significant gains to the local economies and provide people with the skills for successful careers in industry.”

In addition to support from the Tees Valley Business Compass, Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has endorsed the work of Total Solutions and the launch of its centre.

Mayor Houchen added: “Total Solutions has gone from strength to strength and I’m delighted Business Compass has been able to help them make this impressive training centre a reality.

“The Tees Valley is well positioned to become a UK powerhouse for clean energy and offshore wind and has a history of excellence in petrochemicals and construction, all sectors served by Total Solutions. It’s great to have this facility, that can help our residents on their way to good-quality jobs linked to the sectors of tomorrow.”

Established in 2008 by Kevin McAskill and Mick Flaherty, who have more than 60 years’ rope access experience combined, Total Solutions is a full member of the IRATA and is accredited to several quality standards, including ISO 9001:2015, ISO 18001 and ISO 14001. It delivers its consultancy, inspection, cleaning and maintenance services to on and offshore projects internationally.