News & Insights
Ben Headlines as “Star” Tees Valley Apprentice
National Apprenticeship Week
Figures show our region is one of the country’s strongest performers in offering apprenticeships as a week to celebrate their importance gets underway.
Running throughout this week, National Apprenticeship Week shines a light on the huge value of apprenticeships for individuals, employers and the wider economy, showcasing how earn while you learn routes can open doors to skilled, well-paid careers.
The latest data shows Tees Valley continues to outperform national averages. In 2023 to 2024, 11% of pupils in our region went on to apprenticeships after completing 16-18 education, compared to 6.9% nationally.
During 2024/25 there were 4,820 apprenticeship starts across our region – one of the highest rates of apprenticeship starts per head of population in the country, with 1,108 per 100,000 people compared to 959 nationally.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “National Apprenticeship Week is a chance to shout loudly about something we’re doing really well. These figures show apprenticeships are giving local people a genuine route into skilled jobs, while helping our businesses get the talent they need to grow.
“We’ve worked hard to put apprenticeships front and centre of our skills system and the results speak for themselves. This is about creating opportunity, raising aspirations and making sure people can build rewarding careers without having to leave our region.”
Tees Valley also ranks second out of the 12 devolved Mayoral areas nationwide for both apprenticeship starts and achievements.
More than half of apprenticeships in 2024 to 2025 were started by people under the age of 25, while almost a third of achievements were in health, public services and care, closely followed by business, administration and law.
At Darlington-based Latimer Hinks Solicitors, 19-year-old Ben Sanderson is working as an Apprentice Business Administration Assistant while completing his NVQ Level 3.
David Laud, Chief Operating Officer at Latimer Hinks Solicitors, said: “Ben has been a stand-out appointment for the firm with his maturity, reliability and openness to approaching new challenges.”
“Having joined us at just 18, he has demonstrated professionalism, faultless timekeeping, and an outstanding work ethic. What truly differentiates Ben is his attitude. He is consistently supportive of colleagues, caring and attentive with clients, and approaches every task with enthusiasm and commitment.”
Cllr Lisa Evans, TVCA Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills and Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council said: “Apprenticeships are changing lives across Tees Valley, whether that’s young people starting out or adults retraining and progressing in new careers.
“The successes here and across the length and breadth of our region show we’re how powerful this route can be when employers and those seeking work are properly supported.
“National Apprenticeship Week is the perfect time to celebrate that success and we always want to encourage more businesses, residents and young people to get involved.”
For businesses looking find out more about Apprenticeship support, go to: Apprenticeships – Business
Residents can search and apply for apprenticeships via Tees Valley Jobs at: Home – Tees Valley Jobs
ENDS
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF TEES VALLEY COMBINED AUTHORITY
Picture caption: Ben Sanderson has hit the ground running as an apprentice at Darlington-based Latimer Hinks Solicitors.
To find out more please visit http://www.teesvalley-ca.gov.uk
