Date: 08/12/2006A former TTE apprentice has taken part in a special Question and Answer session with current students to discuss career opportunities in industry.

Dave Beattie, from Middlesbrough, who was an apprentice at TTE between 1997 and 2000, is now Facilities and Business Development Manager at British Oxygen Company (BOC), and returned to the training centre, based in South Bank, to speak to 2nd year students on the Tees Valley Production Technician (TVPT) Studentship.

The students quizzed Dave about how his apprenticeship set him up for his current career as well as discussing the importance of practical training when preparing to enter industry.

Dave joined TTE as a Production Technician to gain the skills and knowledge required for a career the chemical industry. He secured sponsorship with BASF and was employed by the company after he completed his apprenticeship with TTE.

Alongside his job at BASF the company encouraged Dave to continue his education and he embarked on a Chemical Technology Foundation Degree, which was tailored to suit people working in the industry with classes repeated to match shift patterns.

After five years with BASF Dave moved to BOC Middlesbrough and is responsible for the company’s Nitrogen Compression and Nitrogen Infrastructure at Wilton International.

The TVPT Studentship is an innovative programme designed and delivered in partnership between TTE and Wilton Stewardship. The four-year programme offers young people a high quality route into industry through a strong blend of technical vocational training and academic study.

It was conceived by the North East Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC) in response to a clear need identified by chemical companies at Wilton, Billingham and Seal Sands for broadly-based training for young potential recruits.

The 2nd year students will begin two-year placements with sponsoring companies from September 2007.

Dave Beattie said: “It was very interesting to return to TTE and see the enthusiastic young people who planning to follow a similar route in to a career that I took. I was also impressed with how TTE’s training programmes have been continually enhanced to be even more in line with the requirements of industry. I am sure this group of young people will become real assets to their future employers.”

Stan Higgins CEO of NEPIC pointed out that the 200 chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and Speciality Chemical companies based in the NE are growing from £9 billion to £13 billion over the next 5 to 10 years.

He said: “There are already investment projects underway that will deliver this level of growth. Such expansion requires up 20,000 vocational and graduate scientists and engineers to join the sector. Much of this growth is taking place on Teesside and more of our local young people need to be made aware of these highly paid and exciting career opportunities. We are working closely with TTE to encourage more young people and also adults to consider a career move into our industry thereby ensuring that TTE all the available training places.”

Keith Leslie, TTE’s Apprenticeship Business Director, said: “It was really beneficial for our students to see first hand where their training can lead and what career opportunities are available to them. Dave has proven first hand that apprenticeships can not only lead to a successful career, but also to Higher Education.”