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Your Future Matters

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Nervous about your future? Not sure what to do next?

You're not alone! There are thousands of young people like you who are unsure about what to do next.

There are so many options available to learn, train, and work in Middlesbrough, so we've put together a list of colleges and training providers who can support young people in Middlesbrough to achieve their dreams.

Myth busting

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Are apprenticeships for people who don’t do well at school?

Apprenticeships are an effective and alternative route into skilled employment. They're a great way to earn while you learn and gain vital work experience. Doing an apprenticeship will give you the opportunity to gain new qualifications and you’ll also learn Maths and English if you haven’t already got these qualifications.

Are apprenticeships only for school leavers?

Apprenticeships are available to people of all ages. This makes them a great option for anyone looking to change career, improve their skills in order to secure a new role or re-enter the labour market having taken time out for whatever reason.

Apprenticeships don’t lead to good qualifications – myth or truth?

Another myth. Apprenticeships are available at different levels, starting from Level 2, and provide the opportunity to progress through to higher education and degree apprenticeships. More and more people are now choosing an apprenticeship as an alternative to university, while nearly a fifth (19%) of advanced apprentices progress to higher education over time following their apprenticeship.

Do apprentices earn much money?

Apprentices must receive at least the apprentice national minimum wage. Currently, the national minimum wage is £4.15 per hour (as of April 2020) for those in the first year of their apprenticeship. At Middlesbrough Council, we pay more than the national minimum wage at £4.55 per hour (as of April 2020) during the first year of your apprenticeship.  After your first year it will increase to the national minimum wage for your age.

Apprentices are only given 'donkey work'

Apprenticeships are full time paid jobs with training. As an apprentice you definitely won't just be the tea maker - you will learn practical work skills to help you in your future as well as studying for a qualification.

Employers don’t value apprenticeships

Research indicates that apprenticeships boost productivity to businesses and more employers are now choosing to grow their business with apprentices. Employers say that former apprentices are 15% more employable than those with other qualifications - apprenticeships genuinely provide a stepping stone to a brighter future.

An apprenticeship won't lead to a full time job – myth or truth?

According to Department for Education research, a quarter of former apprentices (23%) secure a promotion within 12 months of qualifying. In fact, more than 90% of apprentices stay in employment after their course ends, with 67% remaining with the same employer.

Next steps

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If you are not sure about your options and what you want to do next, there is lots of advice available online. You can also talk to your careers adviser from school, or contact the college/ provider you are interested in who will be able to give you impartial advice and guidance about your next steps

Got your results and need support?

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I didn't get the grades I wanted...but look at me now! 

Free, safe and anonymous wellbeing support from Kooth

Work Readiness Team - Contact the team by calling 01642 513162 or emailing workreadinessteam@middlesbrough.gov.uk.

Colleges and training providers

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Below is a list of colleges and training providers in Middlesbrough and the surrounding areas. All of them are keen to speak to young people so do get in touch with them and good luck!!

Askham Bryan College

A specialist land based college offering a large range of courses – includes a Middlesbrough centre for learning

Address: Stewart Park, Marton, Middlesbrough, TS7 8AR

Phone01642 327998

Askham Bryan College

BePro (Stokesley)

Highly experienced training provider. Focused on business-related qualifications to both individuals and organisations through commercial courses and apprenticeships

Address: 1st Floor, 27 College Square, Stokesley, Middlesbrough, TS9 5DN

Phone01642 956970

BePro (Stokesley)

Beverley School

An all age specialist school for people who have an autism spectrum condition

Address: Saltersgill Avenue, Middlesbrough, TS4 3JS

Phone01642 811350

Beverly School website

Groundwork

A charitable organisation working to help communities tackle climate change, nature emergencies, improve health and wellbeing, and gain access to learning and work.

In the Tees Valley, Groundwork runs a number of programmes specifically for young people including:

  • Youth Employment Initiative (YEI): supports young people overcome barriers and move into sustainable employment, education, and training, through intensive one-to-one support and group work
  • #IWill - tackles loneliness in young people through social action and interactive workshops, whilst raising awareness amongst the local community
  • Youth Cafe - provides a safe space for young people to meet and access support services on a monthly basis

Phone07791 076427

EmailVanessa.kelly@groundwork.org.uk

Groundwork website

Kings Academy Sixth Form

11-19 secondary school specializing in business and enterprise

Address: Stainton Way, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, TS8 0GA

Phone01642 577577

Kings Academy website

Learning Curve Middlesbrough

Transforming lives through learning. Make your dreams a reality with lifelong learning. 

Address: 1 Westerby Road, Middlesbrough, TS3 8TD

Phone: 01642 242247

Learning Curve website

Macmillan Academy Sixth Form

Academy school for age 11-18. It was one of the first fifteen city technology colleges established in England

Address: Stockton Road, Middlesbrough, TS5 4AG

Phone01642 800800

Macmillan Academy website

Middlesbrough College

Located on one campus, it’s the largest college in Teesside offering a full range of full and part time courses, apprenticeships and university level qualifications

Address: Dock Street, Middlesbrough, TS2 1AD

Phone01642 333333

Middlesbrough College website

Middlesbrough Community Learning

An adult education service providing community learning, adult education, training, apprenticeships and employability support. Check out the latest courses available at MCLS.

Address: CLC Building, Acklam Grange School, Middlesbrough, TS5 8PB

Phone01642 811400

Middlesbrough Community Learning

Nacro Middlesbrough Centre

England's largest independent training provider of education and skills to 16-18 year olds.

Address: 123 Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 2DU

Phone: 0300 123 3145

Nacro Middlesbrough Centre

National Careers Service

Information, advice and guidance to help people make decisions on learning, training and work

Address: 71 Borough Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 3AA

Phone0800 100900

National Careers Service website

Northern Skills Group

Expert provider of apprenticeships, employer-led training and retraining, working with thousands of businesses across the North East

Address: Dock Street, Middlesbrough, TS2 1AD

Phone0345 340 4040

Northern Skills Group website

Northern School of Art

Further and Higher education arts and design college based in North East England

Address: Green Lane, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, TS5 7RJ

Phone01642 288000

Northern School of Art website

Nunthorpe Academy Sixth Form

A high-performing 11-19 Academy that prides itself on the support and guidance given to students

Address: Guisborough Road, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, TS7 0LA

Phone: 01642 310561

Nunthorpe Academy Sixth Form website

Prior Pursglove College

Expanding opportunities and enhancing futures - delivering high quality education for more than 450 years

Address: Church Walk, Guisborough, TS14 6BU

Phone: 01287 280800

Prior Pursglove website

Priory Woods

An all age community special school located in East Middlesbrough

Address: Tothill Avenue, Middlesbrough, TS3 0RH

Phone: 01642 770540

Priory Woods website

Project Choice

A work experience pathway for students with learning disabilities, difficulties or autism.

Address: My Place, Custom House, North Street, Middlesbrough, TS2 1JP

Phone: 07341 097712

Project Choice

Redcar & Cleveland College

Offering courses for everyone at every level, Redcar & Cleveland College is one of the leading Further Education providers in the Tees Valley

Address: Corporation Road, Redcar, TS10 1EZ

Phone: 01642 473132

Redcar & Cleveland College website

Shape Training

Provides a range of well-established and flexible training package to meet both employers and learners needs

Address: Richard Crosthwaite Centre, Sotherby Road, Middlesbrough, TS3 8BT

Phone01642 282222

Stockton Riverside College

Offers vocational courses, apprenticeship training, higher education and professional courses

Address: Harvard Avenue, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, TS17 6FB

Phone: 01642 865400

Stockton Riverside College website

Teesside University

Providing opportunities, driving enterprise, delivering excellence.

Address: Campus Heart, Southfield Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 3BX

Phone: 01642 218121

Teesside University

Trinity Catholic College

A Roman Catholic secondary school and sixth form

Address: Saltersgill Avenue, Middlesbrough, TS4 3JW

Phone01642 298100

Trinity Catholic College website