Blyth Tall Ship launches fully funded engineering and STEM skills programmes
Blyth Tall Ship is opening the doors to a new programme of fully funded learning this autumn.
The organisation’s new Engineering Futures programme, funded by the Reece Foundation, will provide accredited NVQ learning for people aged 16 and over, combining structured study with hands-on experience in the unique surroundings of Blyth Tall Ship’s Heritage Workshop.
Running from October 2026 to September 2027, the programme will take place two days a week, giving learners the opportunity to develop practical engineering and employability skills while working in a real-world heritage environment.
Blyth Tall Ship is also offering its Future Mariners programme, funded by the ScottishPower Foundation, for young people aged 14 to 25 from Blyth and surrounding communities.
The programme provides practical STEM, maritime and employability activities, with shorter learning opportunities of around two hours as well as full-day courses covering areas such as First Aid and Health & Safety.
Both programmes are completely free for eligible participants and are designed to build confidence, develop practical skills and provide a pathway towards employment, further learning and new opportunities.
To help potential participants find out more in an informal setting, Blyth Tall Ship is holding drop-in recruitment sessions on Friday, September 18 at its Heritage Workshop on Quay Road, Blyth.
People can drop in between 10am and 12pm or 1pm and 3pm, meet the team, look around the workshop and find out which programme could be right for them.
Siobhan Sargeant, CEO of Blyth Tall Ship, said: “We want to make learning and skills development accessible to as many people in our community as possible, particularly those who may feel that returning to education or taking the next step is daunting.
“These programmes offer something very different from a traditional classroom environment.
"Learners can gain recognised qualifications while developing practical skills in our unique Heritage Workshop, surrounded by the history and maritime heritage that makes Blyth Tall Ship so special.
“Whether someone is looking to gain their first qualification, build their confidence, develop new skills or take a step towards employment, we would encourage them to come along to one of our drop-in sessions.”