School leavers can earn while they learn with unique industry scholarship

@MbroCollege has been chosen by the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (@ECITB_Skills) as the only centre in the North East to deliver a coveted scholarship programme in project controls.

TEESSIDE teenagers are being offered a rare opportunity to train for specialist, high quality jobs in industrial project management via this paid scholarship.

The ECITB Project Control Scholarship for 16 and 17-year-olds is designed to give young people the skills to manage and deliver industrial projects as project controllers – a job in demand across Teesside’s construction, engineering and process businesses.

Launching in September, the scholarship is a mix of hands-on workshop training and online learning and will see learners paid an allowance of £140 per week in term time.

Dawn Smith, Skills Development Manager at Northern Skills Group, the College’s training and apprenticeship arm, said:

“This is a unique opportunity for school leavers who want to put a first foot on the career ladder, in a highly skilled area of work.

“This scholarship will feature work experience with some of the businesses that Middlesbrough College works with closely, and will also feature visits to different workplaces so learners build an understanding of the opportunities open to them.

“Our partnership with the ECITB builds on the strong links we have with employers on Teesside and further afield. At Middlesbrough College our aim is to provide high quality learning that is the doorway to good careers – this scholarship is another addition to our wide choice of programmes.”

Chris Claydon, chief executive of the ECITB, said:

“Our Project Control Scholarship equips learners with skills and knowledge that employers need.  With the high standard of learning offered by Middlesbrough College and its excellent links into Teesside employers, I’m sure the scholarship will launch many young people towards rewarding careers in the engineering construction industry.”

With tuition from industry experts, learners will learn the component parts of project controller roles including planning, cost management, scheduling, allocation of resources and ensuring quality.

They will benefit from use of Middlesbrough College’s industry-leading training environments including the STEM training centre, construction workshops and realistic outdoor construction site.

The course then leads to a Project Control Apprenticeship standard with ECITB – the perfect stepping stone into work.

The scholarship will welcome eight school leavers who will need five GCSEs at four or above in maths and English. Those interested will need to complete an application form followed by an assessment day.