South Tyneside teacher takes over as head of Career College North East

Paul Given with Career College North East students, from left, Reece Clyburn, Bridie Gallagher and Stephen Brennan and Le-Sharn Cattanach· | Other 3rd Party

A South Tyneside-born and bred teacher aims to drive forward a pioneering education and training initiative.

Paul Given, 47, plans to increase Career College North East’s (CCNE) influence on region-wide skills development by growing student numbers as its new head.

He aims to do so while embracing already exceptional partnerships with some of the region’s best-known employers, including Nissan and Accenture.

Such companies provide students aged 14-to-16 with three-weeks work experience and other guidance that opens doors to career-advancing opportunities during their two-year course.

CCNE delivers six core GCSEs at Ofsted ‘outstanding’ St Wilfrid’s RC College in South Shields, along with vocational courses at South Tyneside College.

Successful candidates are able to join the prestigious and over-subscribed pre-cadetship in marine engineering at world-leading South Shields Marine School.

Mr Given said: “Being born and raised in South Shields, and with many years in education behind me, I’m truly thrilled to be given this opportunity.

“I have a lot of links to South Tyneside College. I live just a stone’s throw away and always appreciated the hugely valuable work it does within the local area.

“I was also part of the senior management team at St Wilfrid’s when CCNE was first being developed. I’ve followed its progression closely and with great interest.”

He added: “CCNE gives students great advantage to get ahead at an early age through skills that allow them to excel in an increasingly competitive jobs market. It has unique structure in the way it blends vocational learning with academic education and targets it at 14-year-olds.”

Alison Maynard, Deputy Chief Executive of Tyne Coast College, which operates South Tyneside College, said: “Paul is a very welcome addition to CCNE.

“He has a long, varied and impressive career in education and will bring sound guidance and inspired leadership to our Career College.

“CCNE is firmly established in this region’s education landscape, and I’ve every confidence that under Paul’s direction it will enjoy continued success.”

CCNE is recruiting, and further information is available by calling South Tyneside College on 0191 427 3500, visiting www.ccne.co.uk or emailing [email protected]