Our latest BUSINESSiQ coverage contains a powerful message about the future of the region and the young people who will one day be running it.

Post-exams, this is the time when universities and colleges are being chosen and careers decided. As always, those decisions are based on the best chance of them ending up in a career - who offers the best courses that will end with the right qualification for a job that won’t even exist yet.

That’s the biggest challenge our next generation of C-Suite bosses will face - and it wouldn’t even have been available to them a few years ago.

There just wasn’t the choice of skilled and well-paid jobs on the horizon then, but things have changed.

So much work has been done - and we all know so much more still needs to be done if there is ever to be true levelling up - but our reaction to an energy revolution driven by a despairing planet trying to catch a breath has brought opportunity.

That has motivated families to realise that their sons and daughters may be able to stay in this region and find good jobs - a precious goal when there are so many recruitment challenges out there.

We have heard from Susan Ojo, who has played a vital role in a groundbreaking project at the Materials Processing Institute in Middlesbrough. Her boss says she is “a fast learner and quickly became an indispensable part of the team.”

Read more: Year in Industry student working with Materials Processing Institute

Then Darlington’s Chloe Beckwith is looking after Teesside’s skies as an Air Traffic Control Assistant and admits: “ I always liked it and was interested in it but, to be honest, I always thought it would be too hard. I thought I wasn’t smart enough for it.”

Read more: Student takes air traffic control role at Teesside Airport

There is also a proud line-up of the latest interns to work at Tees Valley Combined Authority. One of them, Helena Keane, tells us: “Almost all of us have moved away from Teesside for university to areas like Leeds, Manchester, London and Oxford. Seeing all of us so close to home shows how much there is to gain from working in the Tees Valley.”

Read more: TVCA interns target jobs after work placement success

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen adds: “I’m proud that, as an organisation dedicated to supporting and uplifting businesses within the Tees Valley, we can encourage these intelligent students and graduates to return to the region and support them though the experiences we can offer.

“It sets the precedent for students living outside of the area with ties here to return, helping to retain talent boost our economy as they Stay Local but Go Far.

“I am confident, following this programme, our interns will move on to form strong careers in their fields, and will improve our region through economic growth and the inspiration they provide.”

That’s a good picture, and one worth shouting about. Now well into its second year, our own Level Up campaign recognises the success of key business organisations all over the North East, but we know it still needs constant pressure to keep that spotlight firmly fixed here and keep these soaring ambitions nurtured.

 

  • For more about Level Up, contact ryan.fenwick@localiq.co.uk