A former heavy machinery worker who embarked on a fresh career path after leaving his longstanding job over a decade later has shared his success story.
Highlighting the transformative power of adult education, self-employed Jonathan Currie has found opportunities at Teesworks and other local sites, crediting his progress to the training courses funded by the Combined Authority. Jonathan, 43 from Grangetown, is passionate about encouraging others to take advantage of available support in 2025.
Jonathan, known as John, said: “There was a lot of work on cherry pickers last year – I had a ring around and I’ve been in touch with HST Ltd. As soon as I got that licence, I got a job straight away at Wilton doing a bit of work in there.”
He also noted: “If all the funding is there, and it’s free, why not use it? “.
After quitting his 12-year forklift driving role in search of something different, John was inspired by the Teesworks site and subsequently enhanced his qualifications. By collaborating with Seymour Academy in Hartlepool and MP Plant Training in Stockton, he earned several licences including dumper and excavator operation, telehandling, rear dumper usage, and tractor-trailer licensing.
Teessider Jonathan Currie at work
(Image: Tees Valley Combined Authority)
Furthermore, the Combined Authority’s Adult Skills Budget facilitated John’s access to the requisite resources provided by Health and Safety Training Ltd, enabling him to obtain his IPAF Scissor and Boom licence. He concluded with optimism about the current job market, stating: “There is plenty of work locally now.
“I was always working away before, but I knew there was going to be plenty of work, so I jumped in while it was hot and got work straight away.
“I’m a self-employed worker through agencies – I’ve had a couple of little gaps in work – but no more than two or three weeks.
“This time of year does get quiet – but by the middle of February it will pick up again big time. I’ve told all the lads on site that if they get a break in work, there are loads of courses available.”
Having gained GWO training qualifications from middlesbrough-college>Middlesbrough College, John plans to venture into the wind turbine sector amidst major offshore windfarm project developments.
His tractor licence has also proven beneficial, landing him work at Teesworks. He emphasized the regional demand for skillsets like operating cherry pickers: “All you need is the ticket and the confidence to get to work.
“Some will get it (the licence), and they’re scared of getting on the machine – but if you have a play about with it for half an hour, you’d be surprised with how quickly you pick it up.”
With funding from the UK Government via the Department for Education, the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority support a wide range of adult education providers to offer free courses to people across the region. Through the Adult Skills Fund, the authority makes sure providers meet the skills needs of local employers – and also provides “second chance” opportunities for people who looking for a career change into a job in a high demand, high growth or priority sector.
John has managed to get work on SeAH Wind’s huge monopile factory just a short trip away from his home in Eston. He added: “It’s a 10-minute drive to work for me so it’s nice to be working on the doorstep now. Sometimes you’ve got to get out there and persevere with these things – there’s plenty of work about and you can’t be shy.”
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Our contractors, small businesses and self-employed workers are the backbone of the economy running through Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool. John is a great example of someone who took a chance by going it alone – and it’s wonderful we’ve been able to play a small but important part in his ongoing success.
“It’s contractors like John who keep us moving, get these big projects delivered – and it’s great he’s working close to home.” To find out more about the support available for adults in the region, go here.
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