Why choose the Collective
The Gateshead Collective is a partnership of leading Work Based Learning providers based in Gateshead. We currently provide services to over 20 schools in the Tyne & Wear area, and we would like to expand this further.

Together the collective has helped thousands of young people find employment, undertake training and prosper in their chosen career. Many have gone on to become company directors, managers, supervisors and high level technicians.

Three of our partners Access Training, ITEC North East and Gateshead College have been awarded Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) status in Business and Management. Similar to Specialist College status, this award recognises particular expertise in a vocational area. Gateshead College also has CoVE status for Automotive Technology & Logistsics.

NEETA and Rathbone have particular expertise in helping those young people most at risk of dropping out of learning.

TDR Training has been at the forefront of school science and engineering programmes for a number of years.

Collective partners have an excellent range of facilities, including training rooms and workshops within Gateshead. Such facilities have been further enhanced by our recent move to the Gateshead Skills Academy.

Help for your school
The collective currently provides a number of services to schools in both Gateshead and Tyne & Wear

Parents/Careers information evenings
We are happy to support your events and discuss with parents and pupils the various options available to them.

Open days/evenings
The Collective partners host open evenings for young people, parents and teachers to visit the various centres, see facilities available and talk to staff about the various programmes offered.

Work-based learning presentations
We can visit your school during a PSE lesson, in small tutor groups or during assembly.

Saturday Taster Programme

The Collective has successfully run a number of taster programmes since 2005.

The aim of tasters is to provide young people with an opportunity to gain practical work experience in a particular occupational area before making important career choices.

The programmes, held on Saturdays 9am – 1pm, consist of practical work experience linked to an NVQ related programme and are open to year 9, 10 and 11 students of Gateshead schools.

Successful students are chosen on the basis of their commitment to learning, their enthusiasm and above all their desire to use the programme as an indicator of whether this occupational area is suited to them.

Tasters are currently being delivered in IT – Computer Build by ITEC North East, Hairdressing by NEETA and Motor Vehicle Repair by Gateshead College’s Automotive Centre of Excellence.

[images: Students displaying their skills on a recent Saturday Taster Programme delivered by NEETA Ltd]

Young Apprenticeships
These programmes are aimed at committed and able young people keen to explore a vocational route to higher qualifications. Programmes usually include at least one day per week for two years in a work placement or training centre and will lead to NVQs and other qualifications.

The Young Apprenticeship Programme is currently being delivered for St Thomas More and Kingsmeadow Schools in Business Administration through Access Training and ITEC North East and in Engineering for St Thomas More, Joseph Swan and Thomas Hepburn schools through TDR.

School Links Programme
This programme is ideal for learners between the ages of 14 – 16 who are unsuited for whatever reason to a classroom environment.

Usually working on a reduced/flexible school curriculum we will arrange for the learner to work with a suitable employer to develop valuable employability skills through work experience. In addition pupils may work towards key skills, an Employability Award or units of a relevant NVQ qualification.

With many years of experience of delivering vocational programmes in a variety of areas, we are well placed to respond to school and individual needs.

Your next step
Contact the collective and see how we can work together.
Telephone us on 492 4640 or e-mail us at info@gatesheadcollective.co.uk