ENGINEERING firms across the Tees Valley are supporting the first industry related qualification of its kind at a Darlington school.

Firms including Cummins Engines, Darchem and Fab-Tech are supporting Hurworth School as it prepares to launch its GCSE (Double Award) Engineering in September.

The launch of the qualification, which is equivalent to two GCSEs , will coincide with the completion of a newly expanded engineering suite at the school.

This will enable students to develop practical skills in sheet metal work as well as laser cutting and 3D printing.

Encouraging young people’s interest in engineering and other sectors where a large number of jobs are to become available in the North- East, and which are facing significant skills gaps, is a key focus of Foundation for Jobs.

It is widely acknowledged that as a country the UK needs more engineers and for areas such as Darlington, the Tees Valley and the wider North-East which have a long heritage of world leading engineering companies this is particularly important.

The school’s head of design and technology Jamie Smith said: “This is a fantastic GCSE qualification which will not only aid our students understanding of key engineering principles but it will also give them an advantage when they are applying for apprenticeships and college courses in the engineering industry.”

Mr Smith, himself a former sheet metal worker and plater who served his apprenticeship at Darchem, added: “We will be the only school in Darlington offering this qualification and are making it compatible with the skill set our engineering firms require for the trainees and apprentices they bring in.”

It is expected that Darlington based Cummins will help with delivery of some aspects of the GCSE while Stillington firm Darchem and Newton Aycliffe based Fab-Tech are providing sheets of stainless steel and aluminium respectively.

Cummins Darlington plant manager Chris Willoughby said: “One of our community initiatives at Cummins is to work with local schools and develop students’ interest in STEM subjects and careers in engineering.

“Hurworth School is one of these and we are exploring further collaborative opportunities supporting their technical qualifications which will help to develop our engineers of the future.”

The school is already spending a significant sum on the new suite and equipment so has appealed for any firms or individuals who could provide basic metalwork equipment such as a treadle guillotine, box pan folder or mechanical hacksaw to come forward.

Now a national award-winning project, Foundation for Jobs is a joint initiative to tackle youth unemployment involving The Northern Echo, Darlington Borough Council and the Darlington Partnership of private firms and public sector organisations, which has also enjoyed support from businesses and industrialists across the whole North-East region.

For further details contact owen.mcateer@darlington.gov.uk or go to www.foundationforjobs.co.uk