Britcon Appointed as Main Contractor for New £14.7m NETA Engineering Training Centre in Thornaby

Britcon has been appointed as the main contractor for the design and construction of the £14.7 million state-of-the-art engineering training centre for NETA Training, part of the Education Training Collective (Etc.). This is Britcon’s sixth project for the Etc., following the successful delivery of key projects including the All Access Academy and Clean Energy Education Hub.

This transformative landmark project, situated alongside the Stockton Riverside College campus in Thornaby, will see the development of a purpose-built, two-storey engineering training centre along with the refurbishment of an existing building to house gas, electric, and mechanical workshops. Designed to meet the evolving needs of Teesside’s key industries, including engineering, offshore, and petrochemical, the new facility is set to become a hub of technical training and innovation in the region.

Made possible with a £4.5 million investment from the Government’s Town Deal Fund, through the Thornaby Town Deal Board, delivered in partnership with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, and additional investment from the Department for Education, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and the Etc., the project aligns with wider regeneration and skills development ambitions across the Tees Valley.

Throughout construction, Britcon will prioritise safety and minimal disruption, with adjacent college and training facilities remaining fully operational. Once completed, the 5,000 m2 facility will feature cutting-edge equipment and dedicated workshops for welding, pipefitting, mechanical, electrical, rigging and lifting, domestic and commercial gas training. The new facility will preserve NETA’s industrial heritage while equipping learners with future-facing skills.

Nick Shepherd, Managing Director at Britcon, said:
"We are proud to take the lead on delivering this transformative project for NETA and the Education Training Collective. This new facility is not only a significant investment in education infrastructure, but a clear commitment to the future of industry in Teesside and beyond. Britcon fully understands the vital role that skills training plays in supporting economic growth, and we are fully committed to delivering a high-quality, future-proofed centre that serves the needs of learners, employers, and the wider community for years to come."

Sean Johnston, Director of NETA Training, added:
"These are exciting times for NETA and the region. Our new training centre in Thornaby represents a step change in how we deliver engineering and construction skills to young people and industry professionals alike. We look forward to working in collaboration with Britcon to make this ambitious vision a reality."

The new NETA Training facility has been procured via the Procure Partnerships Framework  and is expected to play a pivotal role in delivering long-term benefits to Thornaby and the wider Tees Valley, supporting job creation, upskilling, and industrial innovation.