18th March 2026

Skills Bootcamp in Groundworks delivers jobs boost for Tees Valley residents

Esh Construction has welcomed three new recruits into the business following the successful delivery of an employer led Skills Bootcamp in Groundworks, designed to address skills shortages across the civil engineering sector.

The pilot programme has seen six of the seven participants secure fulltime employment, creating a fasttrack route into groundworks roles at a time of sustained demand across infrastructure, housing and regeneration projects. Funding was sourced by Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) through the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee.

Darush Dodds, Corporate Affairs Director at Esh Construction, said its three new recruits – Alisha, Corby and Kai – will rotate across multiple areas of the business’ civils infrastructure division to gain exposure to a variety of engineering environments and project types. He added: “For Esh, the bootcamp represents more than short term recruitment; it forms part of a wider company commitment to developing local talent, strengthening the regional skills pipeline and supporting economic inclusion through meaningful employment opportunities.

“This programme offers something new for our region and we are looking forward to seeing our new recruits flourish in the sector. As we continue to watch the programme unfold, it would be great to see other local authorities follow TVCA’s lead in securing funding to develop groundworkers in our other operational areas.”

A collaboration between the North East Institute of Technology (NEIoT) and Esh as anchor partner, the Construction, Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA), Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA), Hartlepool College of Further Education and regional employer Seymour Civil Engineering, pioneered the programme’s development.

Sharon Grant, Director at NEIoT said: “Employers and partners came together in March 2025 and identified a clear need for a practical, employer led solution that could remove barriers to entry, accelerate training and connect participants directly with live job opportunities. The Skills Bootcamp in Groundworks not only addresses this need but also serves as a clear demonstration of NEIoT’s impact – showing how collaborative, employer driven initiatives can upskill the region’s workforce and create fast-track routes into meaningful, sustainable employment in civil engineering.”

Stuart Miller, Director at CECA North East added: “We're delighted with the success of this pilot and our aim is to replicate this model more widely across the TVCA and NECA regions. From the initial idea, via months of planning and collaboration by all Stakeholders, through to final execution, it's been a really positive experience to be involved in this initiative.

“Employers have really stepped up by committing to providing dozens of potential job opportunities and the quality of the learners at the 'meet the employers' session was impressive.”

Bootcamp participants took part in an initial ‘meet the employers’ session before progressing onto an intensive three week training programme delivered through Seymour’s Skills Academy in Hartlepool, with Hartlepool College acting as the accredited provider. They also completed their CSCS Green Card, alongside practical training aligned to general civils and housing infrastructure pathways.

The curriculum was co designed by CECA North East board members and the NEIoT Construction 7 Built Environment advisory group with a training matrix developed that reflected real site requirements – covering core competencies including health, safety and environmental awareness, safe digging and excavation practices, plant and vehicle marshalling, manual handling, working at height and asbestos awareness.

Seymour Skills Academy provided the specialist training environment and facilities required to deliver an accelerated, high quality programme in Hartlepool.

Mal Bell, Operations Director at Seymour Civil Engineering, said: “Since 2019, our Seymour Skills Academy has delivered high quality, industry led training and we are proud to work alongside local civil engineering employers who share our commitment to developing future talent and strengthening the region’s construction workforce.

“The Skills Bootcamp initiative reflects our Delivering Beyond Construction ethos, equipping individuals with the skills needed for successful careers while helping to close the skills gap created by an aging workforce and rapid sector growth. Through focused education, collaboration and a commitment to long term industry resilience, we are ensuring the civil engineering sector continues to thrive in the North East for generations to come.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “These bootcamps provide exactly the kind of practical training we want to see – focused programmes which give local people the skills employers are crying out for to help people get straight into good-quality jobs. With major housing, infrastructure and regeneration projects happening across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool, the demand for skilled groundworkers is only going to grow.

“It’s fantastic to see the vast majority of people on this pilot already securing full-time work.”

With major infrastructure, housing and regeneration schemes planned across Tees Valley and the North East, demand for skilled groundworkers is expected to remain high. By working collaboratively, the partners behind the Skills Bootcamp believe the programme can play a key role in ensuring local people are first in line for the jobs these projects create.