HBPW has left its indelible mark on the UK’s first Special Economic Area – Teesside’s 4,500 acre Teesworks development – becoming one of the catalysts to a dynamic new workforce that will eventually feed the major construction project.
The overall scheme is being overseen by the South Tees Development Corporation, the first of its type outside Greater London, but within the huge site sits the smaller 145-acre Dorman Point, home to the Teesworks Academy.
And it is here that HBPW has been concentrating its efforts alongside Graham Construction.
Partner, Emyr Parry, said: “We are a small but important part of a much larger project which will bring together industry leaders and help power the UK’s largest freeport and, ultimately, Britain’s carbon capture capital.
“Graham’s asked us to supply the foundation designs and car park drainage works for the Teesworks Skills Academy, established to give locals within the Tees Valley the best training possible so that they can take advantage of new jobs and opportunities as they emerge across the wider Teesworks site.”
Operating as a one-stop-shop, the academy – which is now up and running – brings together jobseekers, local employment hubs and skills providers so that, collectively, they are able to deliver a world-class workforce that will feed and help the Teesworks site succeed.
“You can have the biggest project in the world,” added Emyr, “however, unless a region’s economic development ambitions are linked to an education strategy then such schemes are destined to falter.
“Teesport has factored this key element into its long-term ambitions and we are so pleased to have worked alongside Graham’s to deliver on a small but hugely important part of this enormous construction project.”