Middlesbrough-based Intelect has been part of the team for a year so let’s find out a little more about them and why they love being part of High Tide.

What is Intelect?

We’re an electrical and mechanical engineering solutions provider working within the food and beverage manufacturing, and ultilities and renewable energy markets. We’re proud Teessiders having always been based here since we launched in 1997.

Why did you choose to become a High Tide corporate partner?

We are passionate about the development of young people of our area – they are at the heart of our team through our award-winning apprenticeship programme already, but we want to do all we can to ensure that the next generation in our area continues to be inspired into STEM subjects.

Through working with High Tide, whose values align with our own, we can continue to do just that.

Why do you feel the work High Tide does is important to the area?

There has historically been a skills shortage in our area across a range of industries, so the work that High Tide does is crucial to inspire the young people of today, to ensure that there is a workforce for tomorrow.

The common misconception that Teesside has nothing to offer in terms of opportunity for a solid career path is completely proven wrong through the High Tide programmes which continue to change perceptions and open the eyes of students, showcasing to them exactly what our region has to offer – something that needs to continue!

How do you get involved?

To us, the donation we give to the charity is great – but it’s not enough, we want to practice what we preach so we can’t help but get more involved!

Our staff give their time and resources to High Tide by providing and leading work experience programmes, attending careers fairs and spending time with local schools to speak to students.

Sharing their own personal journeys and success stories, challenges and achievements really shows that what they’re saying is true – and that it’s not always easy, but it’s always worth doing. If these stories can influence just one student to stay right here in Teesside to pursue a career, what we’re doing is working.

We’ve always worked with schools to reach the next generation but through High Tide we can do this on a much larger scale, and in turn grow and develop our own work experience and apprenticeship programmes. These programmes then mean we are able to grow our business in times when there is a wider skills shortage.

What has been your favourite part of being involved with High Tide?

Definitely listening to the feedback from the programme participants after their experiences with us! It’s great to see that the work we are doing is having an impact on the young people in our area, opening their eyes to opportunities, sectors and roles they didn’t know existed, and hopefully this will mean that they are encouraged to stay and grow a career in our region.

For more information on Intelect, visit the website https://intelectuk.com/