The nomination recognises our digital innovation over the past 12 months, which has evolved our programme offering to inspire more young people in the Tees Valley than ever before. Run by Tees Business in association with DigitalCity and Middlesbrough Digital, the awards celebrate the region’s thriving digital sector.

Thanks to our new series of virtual work experience programmes, focused on connecting classrooms with careers, we’ve been able to connect 650 students with over 30 businesses across nine industry-led programmes; all delivered entirely live and online for schools across Tees Valley.

In partnership with Speakers for School and our industry members, the new interactive programmes connect students with businesses and help young people explore the world of work directly from the classroom. From snapshot days and bite-sized taster sessions to immersive deep-dive programmes, the insightful courses provide an engaging glimpse into the industries and opportunities taking place in our region.

Amongst those, is the digital space that the Tees Tech Awards celebrates. Extending to creative and digital media, the Tees Valley is home to leaders across specialisms such as marketing, design, animation, gaming and VR; making it one of the UK’s leading and fastest-growing digital clusters. Through our programmes, we’re opening the door for students to this sector, exposing young people to the opportunities, careers and major players that sit right on their doorstep. 

Alongside our dedicated creative and digital media programmes, we deliver programmes covering automotive, finance, law, engineering, maritime and much more. Each session offers real-life employer interactions with regional, national and international firms, providing meaningful live experiences that not only increase work-based skills and awareness but also improve life skills, change attitudes and raise aspirations.

Our virtual programme offer includes short bite-size inspiration sessions through to immersive 3-day work experiences. All programmes are suitable for up to 100 students and are designed to fit seamlessly into a structured syllabus that helps connect the curriculum with careers. They also offer a clear pathway to our workplace-based programmes which will be returning shortly.

Content is sector-focused, including a series of practical, real-life business challenges, group presentations, virtual site tours and interactive Q&As. There’s also an emphasis on the varied roles in each industry, going beyond typical opportunities to lift the lid on business and shine a light on the people who make them.

Lauren Bywater, General Manager at High Tide said: “We’re super proud to have been shortlisted in the Tees Tech for Good Award. It’s well-deserved recognition for our incredible digital transformation over the past 12 months.

“While the pandemic has meant we’ve had to pause our workplace based programmes, it has allowed us to develop new ways of offering life-enriching experiences for young people in our region. Tech is now at the heart of our programme delivery and is driving change, increasing impact and enabling us to provide more live engagements, to more students, than ever before.”

As well as programme evolution, we have secured new partnerships with business members such as Jacobs, Digital Thinkers and Amazon who are vital to delivering our programmes and allowing us to help improve the lives of young people in the Tees Valley. It’s only through their generosity and support that we can continue inspiring, influencing and shaping the workforce of tomorrow. If you’d like to be involved in High Tide, either as a school or as a business member, please get in touch.

Registration is now open for all schools across Tees Valley for our upcoming Insight Days and Three Day Virtual Work Experience (VWEX) programmes. They’re entirely free, however, spaces are limited so please register your interest as soon as possible. To register on our VWEX portal, or for more information on any of our programmes, please contact the High Tide team.