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Education Partnership North East – helping build a future-ready workforce

In a region shaped by its industrial heritage yet firmly focused on the future, manufacturing remains a cornerstone of the North East economy. 

But as the sector evolves – driven by automation, digitalisation and the transition to greener practices – employers are facing a critical challenge: developing a workforce with the skills to keep pace.

For Education Partnership North East (EPNE), an Ofsted Outstanding-rated college group, consisting of Sunderland College, Northumberland College and Hartlepool Sixth Form College, supporting that ambition is central to what they do. With a strong presence across the region, EPNE’s college’s work in close collaboration with employers to deliver workforce development solutions that are responsive, practical and aligned to the realities of modern industry.

For many manufacturers, the issue is no longer simply recruitment. It is about ensuring their workforce – both new and existing employees – has the technical capability, adaptability and confidence to operate in an increasingly complex environment. 

EPNE has a team of staff whose sole purpose is to support employers across the section.

Francesca Regan, Business Executive at EPNE, has been working with employers from the sector for the last three years.

She said: “Our approach is rooted in partnership. By working directly with employers, we gain a clear understanding of the challenges businesses face, from improving productivity and integrating new technologies to identifying skills gaps in the workforce. 

“Working in partnership ensures that training provision is relevant and forward-looking.

“Apprenticeships continue to play a central role in our offer. Apprenticeships are increasingly being used by manufacturers as a strategic workforce development tool. 

“Apprenticeships support both recruitment and retention – making them a powerful solution in a competitive labour market. 

“At EPNE, we are proud to be the largest provider of apprenticeship training to employers in the sector across the region.”

Alongside apprenticeships, EPNE delivers a wide range of technical qualifications, short courses and bespoke training programmes. 

This flexibility allows employers to target specific skills gaps, whether that’s developing expertise in advanced manufacturing processes, enhancing digital capabilities, or supporting the shift towards low-carbon and sustainableoperations. 

Training can be tailored to suit business needs, ensuring minimal disruption while maximising impact.

Investment in facilities further strengthens this offer, they are currently in the process of building a new £54 million campus at Ashington, due to open in October 2026. 

The campus will have state-of-the-art manufacturing / engineering training facilities in line with the Group’s existing facilities at Sunderland College’s City Campus. 

EPNE’s industry-standard training environments are designed to reflect real workplace conditions, giving learners access to the equipment and technologies they will encounter on the job.

Equally important is the expertise of EPNE’s staff. 

With many tutors bringing direct industry experience into the classroom, training is grounded in current practice and informed by real- world insight. 

This ensures that learning is not only technically accurate, but also relevant to the day-to-day challenges faced by manufacturing businesses.

As manufacturing continues to transform, this kind of partnership is becoming increasingly valuable. 

Employers need more than a training provider; they need a collaborator who understands their business and can respond at pace.

EPNE work with large employers and SMEs. Their partners in the sector include: AESC, AkzoNobel, Faltec, Grundfos, Haskel, Magna, Marelli, Merit, Nissan, The North East Automotive Association, Roundel, SNOP, Sterling Pharma, Tharsus, TT Electronics, Unipres, Universal Wolf and ZF Automotive.

If you’d like to explore how EPNE could support your organisation, speak to our expert team > educationpartnershipne.ac.uk/employers

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Bdaily Publishing .