The initiative, delivered by Hartlepool College of Further Education in partnership with Teesside Airport’s Airbourne Colours, aims to offer a practical career pathway within the aviation industry.
The Airbourne Colours Aircraft Painting Trainee Programme is scheduled to commence in June, providing a direct route into this niche, high-demand field.
Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority have funded the initial six-week course through the Adult Skills Fund.
This course will equip participants with crucial skills in aircraft paint spraying.
Successful trainees will progress to a paid practical training phase, lasting around 19 months, at Airbourne Colours’ new, multi-million-pound Teesside International Airport facility.
This hands-on experience will provide essential industry exposure and potentially serve as a stepping stone to a long-term career.
The initial training will be conducted at Hartlepool College of Further Education.
Applicants must be over 19 years old as of August 31, 2024, and reside in the Tees Valley region.
The six-week course will run from June 9 to July 18, followed by the practical training at the paint facility.
Upon completion of the full 21-month training course, trainees will work towards the internationally recognised SAE AS7489 certification.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “We are bringing jobs and investment to Teesside Airport which is delivering outstanding long-term career opportunities for local people, and this is a fantastic example of this in action.
“This programme is exactly the kind of opportunity we need to develop local talent and boost the region’s growing aviation sector.”
The programme will be an integral part of the Tees Valley Combined Authority’s wider efforts to provide bespoke skills programmes for employers, addressing specific training needs and supporting workforce development.
Helen Gott, head of the school of engineering at Hartlepool College of Further Education, said: “We’re delighted to partner with Airbourne Colours and Tees Valley Combined Authority on this innovative training programme.
“This collaboration represents an ideal alignment of education, industry, and regional development, offering local people a pathway into specialised careers within the aviation sector.”
Airbourne Colours’ state-of-the-art facility at Teesside International Airport opened in 2024 following a £6.5 million investment.
The company works on behalf of major airlines such as Jet2.com and Lufthansa.
Steven Darbyshire, chief executive of Airbourne Colours, said: “When we opened our Teesside facility, we wanted to bring the type of career opportunities to local people which weren’t available to me when I grew up here.
“We are looking for hard-working, enthusiastic team players who are also ambitious and want to climb the ladder as we look to move the business forward in the coming years.”
An open event to provide more information about the programme will be held at Hartlepool College of Further Education, Stockton Street, on April 9.
For more information, visit the dedicated webpage on Hartlepool College of Further Education’s website.
Interested candidates should submit their CV to AirbourneColours@hartlepoolfe.ac.uk by April 27, 2025.
Employers seeking support and funding to develop their own bespoke skills training can find more information at TVCA Workforce & Skills.
