Teesside Hospice joins programme to connect students with employers

We’re delighted to be joining Esh Group’s Building My Skills programme, the region’s largest employer-school engagement programme.

The programme will help more than 14,000 young people explore career opportunities, develop essential employability skills and better understand the world of work.

Delivered by Esh Group in partnership with the North East Chamber of Commerce and BUSINESSiQ, Building My Skills will connect businesses with 93 schools across all 12 local authority areas in the North East and Tees Valley during the 2026/27 academic year.

Now in its 16th year, the free, business-led programme connects students in Years 9 to 12 directly with employers, introducing them to different industries, career pathways and the transferable skills businesses value. The programme was established in 2009 by founding partners Esh Group, Arup and Ryder.

Darush Dodds, Corporate Affairs Director at Esh Group, said: “Building My Skills has grown into one of the UK’s largest zero-cost careers programmes, and that is something every school and business involved should be incredibly proud of. It shows what can be achieved when employers and combined authorities work collectively rather than in isolation.

“The scale of the programme gives us a genuine opportunity to change perceptions, raise aspirations and open young people’s eyes to careers they may never have considered. We want students to understand what jobs exist locally, what employers are looking for and, most importantly, how they can realistically get from the classroom into those opportunities.

“We also need to start early. Waiting until somebody has already disengaged from education or employment is too late. Meaningful engagement with employers while still at school can build confidence, broaden horizons, develop self-worth and make the world of work feel much more accessible.”

Businesses representing sectors including advanced manufacturing, finance, construction, digital and creative industries, energy, leisure and healthcare will deliver structured workshops within the school timetable, exposing students to different professions and career journeys.

A total of 372 employer-led workshops are scheduled during the academic year. Each participating school will receive four workshops, with students progressing through practical employability themes including on Standing Out from the Crowd, Personal Finance, Presenting Yourself on Paper, Online and in Person.

Employer volunteers will bring these subjects to life by sharing their own career journeys and workplace experiences, challenging misconceptions about different industries and highlighting both visible and lesser-known career opportunities within their organisations.

The programme got off to a strong start at Outwood Academy Ormesby, with students among the first to take part in the 2026/27 cohort. Victoria Garrett, Assistant Principal said: “We’ve been pleased to be involved in the programme for a number of years and have seen great success from it. The session gave students a valuable insight into the work of the hospice and the range of careers available. It was fantastic to see how engaged they were throughout, and we’re really looking forward to the remaining workshops.”

The workshops are reinforced through teacher-led classroom checkpoints, while a Regional Interview Day at the end of the academic year will give selected students the opportunity to experience a mock interview, receive constructive feedback from employers and further develop their confidence and communication skills.

Building My Skills has been designed to ensure employer engagement reaches students who can face some of the greatest barriers to future employment. This year’s programme will include 339 students from 12 SEND schools and 42 young people from two pupil referral units, widening access to employer encounters and career development opportunities.

Hassan Hameed, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Teesside Hospice, added: “We’re delighted to be involved in Esh Group’s Building My Skills sessions and hope that through our team’s talks, we can inspire the next generation.

"It can be difficult for young people to gain career experience and skills, but this programme is a great way to introduce them to career journeys and the various ways in which they can reach their dream roles.

"We’re excited to offer students an introduction to hospice care and the variety of roles that are involved within it, while also helping them to build wider knowledge and understanding of employability skills, financial responsibility and CV writing.”

The programme’s first delivery window will run through to 18 December, followed by three further checkpoint phases through to May 2027.

Since launching in 2009, more than 60,000 students have completed Building My Skills, with the programme continuing to strengthen links between education and industry and help businesses play a more active role in developing their future workforce.

To find out more about Building My Skills and the businesses involved, visit www.eshgroup.co.uk/building-my-skills.