North East contractor supports local skills 

Esh Group has convened business leaders across the North East to support an employability programme in the region. 

More than 300 students from schools in the North East and Tees Valley attended a mock interview day, which was the culmination of the Building My Skills employability programme.

Launched in January, the programme aims to raise students’ career aspirations by providing them with an introduction to the world of work, and an insight into different sectors and jobs.

More than 4,500 students from seven secondary schools and sixth form colleges have each taken part in four workshops delivered by representatives from a range of sectors, including housing and banking. 

After each workshop, students completed an online checkpoint that aims to assist them when mapping out their career aspirations, with topics including standing out from the competition and presenting yourself online, on paper, and in person.

The Mock Interview Day gave students first-hand experience of what an interview is like in a professional environment, as well as an opportunity for one-to-one discussions with business leaders.

Darush Dodds, corporate affairs director at Esh Group, said: “The mock interview day is always a worthwhile event. It provides valuable interview experiences but can open the door to second interviews for businesses who have opportunities available, such as apprenticeships, traineeships or paid placements.

“Building My Skills is the personification of business-education collaboration. Throughout the year, connections between schools and businesses have been formed that may never have existed before this programme took place. 

“More importantly, we have given over 4,500 students the platform to become employable once they leave school. Six months ago, when they started Building My Skills, they may not have known where their career path would lead them; hopefully, we have given them the boost they may have needed to decide their next steps.”

The 2025 Building My Skills programme will be launched later this year.