As part of the Grow the Trades partnership with DEWALT, NCD is the first of 10 colleges in the UK to partner with the newly formed DEWALT Academy, a group of DEWALT product experts who provide hands-on guidance on how to use tools on the jobsite with a focus on trade education including mechanical maintenance and joinery, a woodworking skill. The DEWALT Academy is supporting the school’s vocational courses and apprenticeships by providing additional training and free tools for its aspiring trade professionals.
“The construction industry alone in the UK is expected to lose 500,000 skilled workers over the course of the next decade due to retirement*,” said David Osborne, Vice President of Commercial Excellence at Stanley Black & Decker. “To help fill these critical roles and inspire the next generation of tradespeople, DEWALT, through ourGrow The Tradesinitiative and partnership with NCD, is focused on providing students access to training, high quality tools and equipment to empower them with the skills, confidence, and hands-on experience needed to thrive in their future careers.”
Principal and Chief Executive of New College Durham, Andy Broadbent, shared: “It’s a privilege to be involved in such an amazing new initiative and to lead the way in its launch across the country. We’re honoured to be the sole partner in the North East of England, and to lead the way in bringing this national programme to life at New College Durham. This partnership represents not just an investment in tools, but in people, education, and the future workforce. I am especially excited about the broader benefits this collaboration will bring—from enhanced curriculum development to further opportunities for student and trainee support”
Head of the School of Simon Muschamp concluded with “We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to DEWALT for choosing New College Durham to launch this ambitious project. Your commitment to investing in the next generation of joiners, carpenters, mechanics, and engineers is truly appreciated. Our students will gain so much from this programme, and we’re confident it will leave a lasting impact on their learning journey and future careers.”