Tees Valley

Functional Skills Teacher Instructing Two Learners At A Computer (Resized)

Driving productivity through skills

Tees Valley is focused on ensuring training provision reflects the needs of local employers. Relevant skills and strong employment pathways help businesses access talent and create better opportunities for learners.

Developing talent for future industries

The region needs a strong pipeline of talent to support future economic growth. Employer-led pathways, targeted training in growth sectors and access to high-quality careers can help learners develop the skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow.

Functional Skills Teacher Instructing Learners (Resized)

Building skills for a changing economy

Economic and technological change means people need opportunities to continually develop their skills. The resilience of the Tees Valley workforce depends on upskilling, lifelong learning and adapting to new ways of working.

Expanding access to opportunity

Creating a more inclusive skills system means ensuring more people can access learning, overcome barriers and progress into quality employment. By improving access to skills and supporting underrepresented groups, we can help more people benefit from the region's economic opportunities.

What are the main priorities for Tees Valley?

Tees Valley LSIP

The Tees Valley LSIP sets out agreed and actionable priorities for employers, education and training providers and other stakeholders to work towards together.

We have identified areas of the NCFE portfolio that can support providers to respond to these priorities:

Green energy, industrial decarbonisation and net zero, including construction and operational skills
Health and social care
Business and professional services
Cross-cutting skills, including digital skills, professional development and business skills.

How can NCFE support the Tees Valley?

NCFE offers a broad portfolio of qualifications that can help providers respond to local skills needs and support learners at different stages of their journey.

We've identified areas of our provision that support the priorities set out through the Tees Valley LSIP. Our offer can help providers develop relevant programmes for learners, employers and the wider economy.

Sector specific qualifications 

Sector	Qualifications
Green Energy and Net Zero	Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Climate Change and Environmental Awareness (603/5683/2)	Level 3 Certificate in Championing Sustainability in the Workplace (610/0143/0)
Health and Social Care	View our suite of Health and Social Care qualifications
Business and Professional Services	View our suite of Business and Professional Services qualifications

General skills (level 1) 

General Skills (level 1) maps to units from Level 1 Employability Skills and Level 1 Occupational Studies. Find out more about our preparation for work and employability qualifications.

	NCFE Employability skills	NCFE Occupational Studies
Communication and customer service	Understanding your customers Business and customer awareness Using social media in the workplace Using online collaborative workplace tools Using telephones in the workplace	IT communication fundamentals Understanding business communication Developing customer service skills
Project management and teamwork	Taking part in a project Working in a team Working with colleagues Understanding conflict at work Meetings in the workplace	Undertaking an enterprise project
Self-management, time management, and organisational skills	Setting yourself targets Managing your time	Time management skills
Confidence, creativity, adaptability, and resilience	Understanding mindset Understanding motivation Developing assertiveness Creative thinking Coping with change	Improving own learning and performance
Critical thinking, planning and problem solving	Problem solving at work	Problem solving at work
Business skills and interview techniques	Job and training search skills Job application skills Interview skills Writing a CV
Digital literacy	ICT for employment
Microsoft suite		Spreadsheet software Word processing software

General Skills (level 2)

General Skills (level 2) maps to units from Level 2 Employability Skills and Level 2 Occupational Studies. Find out more about our preparation for work and employability qualifications.

	NCFE Employability skills	NCFE Occupational Studies
Communication and customer service	Understanding your customers Business and customer awareness Presenting information Using online collaborative workplace tools Social media in the workplace	Communication skills for business Using email
Project management and teamwork	Managing a project Working in a team Dealing with conflict Working with colleagues Valuing and supporting others	Working in a team
Self-management, time management, and organisational skills	How to keep improving Setting your targets Managing your time
Confidence, creativity, adaptability, and resilience	Understanding mindset Understanding motivation
Critical thinking, planning and problem solving	Problem solving in a place of work Understanding innovation Creative thinking Understanding and coping with change	Problem solving in the workplace
Business skills and interview techniques	Job search skills Job application skills Interview skills
Digital literacy	ICT for employment	Improving productivity using IT
Microsoft suite		Spreadsheet software Presentation software Word processing software

Essential & Higher-level digital skills

Digital skills are becoming increasingly important across the Tees Valley workforce. As technology changes the way people work, stronger digital capability can support access to better employment opportunities, improve productivity and help businesses adapt. Recent figures suggest that jobs requiring higher digital skills reduce the risk of job elimination due to automation by 59%.

NCFE provides a broad range of digital qualifications, from essential skills through to more advanced technical knowledge. This gives providers options to support learners at different starting points and create progression routes into employment and further learning.

See our suite of Digital Skills qualifications.

General skills (embedded across sectors) 

NCFE offer a wide range of standalone units across multiple sector areas. They provide flexible opportunities to support employability, workforce development and personal progression.

Discover our standalone units.

Sector	Workplace skills	Digital skills
Construction	Communication Teamwork Self-management Adaptability	Basic digital skills
Green Energy and Net Zero	Adaptability Collaboration Communication Self-management Value-driven
Health and Social Care	Face-to-face communication Telephone skills Written skills	General IT skills Excel skills
Business and Professional Services	Communication Client management skills	Data analytics Excel skills Data protection Cyber security
Cross Cutting Themes	Problem solving, fact finding and research skills Ability to interpret information Project management Confidence Creativity Communication Interpersonal skills Project management and planning Management Confidence Resilience Interview skills Job application skills	Basic IT skills Microsoft suite Social media skills

Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs)

Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) provide a flexible way for providers to respond to local recruitment and skills needs.

Programmes can be shaped around particular employers, sectors and occupations, combining industry knowledge, practical skills and preparation for the workplace. This can help learners build confidence and develop the capabilities they need to move towards employment.

NCFE qualifications can support SWAP delivery that reflects local labour market requirements and the priority areas identified through Local Skills Improvement Plans.

Find out more about our SWAPs offer.

Staying connected to the Tees Valley skills landscape

Keeping up to date with changes across skills, employment and the regional economy can help providers make informed decisions about their provision.

The Tees Valley Learning Provider Network brings together providers operating across adult learning, apprenticeships, skills bootcamps and technical education. Being part of the network provides opportunities to connect with other providers, share good practice and learn more about developments affecting the region.

Regular member meetings, guest speakers and workshops provide further opportunities to stay informed and understand the impact of regional priorities for providers and learners.

Where is the information I need?

There are lots of different sites providing information on what is happening in the North East with different sectors supporting a wide range of businesses.

In the education sector there is great value in being part of the North East Learning Provider (NELP) network. You will work with like-minded providers who operate across the sectors from adult learning, apprenticeships, skills bootcamps and technical education.

The network share best practices and host regular members meetings with guest speakers and workshops that keep you informed on what is happening in the region.

Useful links

Other useful sites to visit include:

Tees Valley Combined Authority 

Tees Valley Local Skills Improvement Plan (TVLSIP)

Tees Valley Local Skills Improvement Plan Progress Report

North East Chamber of Commerce (ERB)

What can we help you find?