The Education Training Collective has held a steel signing ceremony for a new specialist engineering training facility for the North East Training Alliance (NETA) in Thornaby, Stockton on Tees.

NETA is part of The Education Training Collective, a leading group of vibrant colleges and training providers offering high quality education and training opportunities for learners, communities, and businesses in Teesside and across the UK. It has a long history of meeting the skill needs of employers in the Teesside region and covers a diverse range of engineering and construction skills. The new facility has been designed to equip learners with the engineering and construction skills to meet core industrial demands in the area providing opportunities for the existing and future workforce in the Tees Valley.

The £14.7m facility will be built next to Stockton Riverside College and will enable NETA to relocate to state-of-the-art facilities which will enhance the wider campus. The project has been made possible with investment endorsed by the Government’s Town Deal fund, delivered in partnership with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and with the support of the Thornaby Town Deal Board, with the view that the new development will bring long-term change and investment into Thornaby as part of the town’s wider regeneration programme.

The 4,600m2 facility has been designed by national practice GSSArchitecture acting as Architect, Lead Designer and Principal Designer under Building Regulations, working with the project team. GSS is working with Britcon to deliver the scheme which will remodel an existing building and join it to a new two-storey specialist engineering centre to create one cohesive, sustainable, development.

The NETA building is designed to reflect NETA’s strong identity and brand as a leading industry training provider. It will have its own distinct arrival location from Princeton Drive, with specific consideration to the learner journey and the showcasing of NETA activities. The design incorporates new landscaped social areas and improved parking. This will provide a welcoming and inclusive destination, driving aspiration and attracting learners.

Anna McTaggart, partner at GSSArchitecture commented: “We are proud to be part of the team delivering this state-of-the-art technical training facility and look forward to seeing it take shape on site. We are excited to provide NETA with a building that will support the fantastic work they do providing students with high-quality training and supporting local industry.”

We are working closely with Main Contractor Britcon and the wider project team: Quetra Consulting, who are acting as Strategic Advisor and Client Lead; Structural Engineer, Billinghurst George & Partners; JH Partners are providing Mechanical and Electrical Engineer services; Hall and Partners Limited, who are serving as the Principal Designer, Project Manager, and Quantity Surveyor; and ONE Environments Ltd are the Landscape Architect.

We have developed significant knowledge and experience in the further education sector, across the country. Many of our relationships are longstanding and cover a range of projects from remodelling and expansions to new build schemes.