TEAM Wearside

TEAM (Training Education Achievement and Motivation) Wearside Ltd, is a Sunderland based Training Provider Charity. Since its establishment in 1991 TEAM Wearside has offered training and support to a range of individuals and businesses across the North East.

From the inception of TEAM Wearside the core charity ethos has been to support people to develop and reach their potential. Initially the focus was on supporting the unemployed client group however over the years the expertise at TEAM Wearside has developed to such an extent that a range of target groups are now supported.

On a daily basis we work with employers, schools, employed and unemployed adults and young people across the North East through a wide range of funded and non-funded training programmes and projects.

TEAM Wearside delivers a large portfolio of training programmes and other services which directly support businesses as well as assisting employed and unemployed young people and adults reach their potential.

Supporting People Into Work

TEAM Wearside continues to be committed to supporting people to develop and reach their full potential in particular the unemployed client group.

We have a proven track record of excellence and an overwhelming commitment to provide quality training to support even the most hard to reach clients progress and develop.

The employability programmes we deliver have a direct and positive impact in terms of moving people closer to employment and therefore also supporting and improving the local community.

Over the years hundreds of people have made the transition into sustainable employment as a result of tailored training and support. We have raised aspirations and given individuals a belief in themselves. As a result perceived personal barriers to employment have been overcome and either minimised or eliminated.

The development of young people and adults is heavily dependent on the support of local employers providing placement opportunities. These placements are a key element of the learning journey and enable learners to gain a ‘hands on’ insight into the world of work.
 

Our History

A company with a short history but a high level of achievement

TEAM – Training Education Achievement and Motivation, a training organisation with the prime objective of training and developing people who have identifiable additional training needs.  This includes young people requiring training and development and adults seeking training to obtain employment.

Originally, TEAM Wearside was established as a project in 1990 with an embryo idea put forward to Sunderland City TEC.  It was based on Co-operative Approach to Special Training Needs, the idea being put forward in a paper by Richard Bregazzi.  A Steering Group was established consisting of representatives of local business, the local authority, Sunderland City TEC, the Chamber of Commerce and two local ‘Special Schools’: Felstead, now Castle Green, and Springwell Dene.  A pilot project was set up with a local training organisation, Work & Learn.  However, the Steering Group soon felt that it was essential to develop a training organisation with its own identity and so TEAM Wearside was established.

To give credibility to a new concept, it was felt that if a major company could be involved, then, by using the name of the company, doors would be opened and the management expertise become available which could smooth what could certainly be a difficult and bumpy path.  In the early years the Managing Director of Vaux Breweries, Mr Frank Nicholson, allowed the name of Vaux to be used and a contract was drawn up between Sunderland City TEC and Vaux Breweries for twenty training places with a start date of 1 April 1991.

Achievements of the trainees were quickly established thanks to a dedicated and hard-working team of staff members who were able to assist eager trainees to ‘realise their potential’.  In the eight years to 1999 many awards were achieved by TEAM Wearside (Vaux).  Among these were four National Training Awards, the Secretary of State’s Award for ‘Special Training Needs’ and a successful report from the Training Standards Inspectorate.  In this report, special reference was made to the twenty highest graded training programmes to date – this included TEAM Wearside.

TEAM Wearside now provides training for in excess of 100 young trainees and over 400 adult clients annually.  Trainee achievement should not be underestimated, with over 100 trainees going into permanent employment and in excess of 400+ nationally recognised certificates being achieved.

In 1999 the closure of Vaux Breweries Ltd presented TEAM Wearside with its greatest challenge to date.  Being established and now a leader in its field, it was to be set up as a Company Limited by Guarantee.  A new Board of Directors/Trustees (now under charitable status) was established including many of those previously involved.

All staff are trained and follow a development path according to their individual needs and the requirement to help TEAM Wearside achieve world-class standards.

TEAM Wearside now delivers a large portfolio of training programmes and projects funded by the Learning Skills Council, Jobcentre Plus, Sunderland Council and various charities including the Northern Rock Foundation.

TEAM’s Statement of Values

“To ensure that ALL LEARNERS are treated as INDIVIDUALS as well as a member of a TEAM. To encourage them in their development, to progress as far as possible, gain work related skills and enhance employment prospects.’’